HEALTH Secretary Francisco Duque said there is much to expect for the JR Borja General Hospital (JRBGH), especially with the newly-signed Universal Health Care Law (UHC).
Duque, who was guest Tuesday, March 26, in the inauguration of JRBGH's North Wing building said, the progress that the hospital has achieved is “a testament to the vision that is expected to happen under the UHC.”
“We are fortunate that this is happening, we would love to work with a local chief executive like the caliber of Mayor Oscar Moreno that understands the roadmap of transformation especially transforming our health systems,” Duque said.
Duque vowed to pour more funds to JRBGH as it expects larger capacity once the UHC is implemented.
Under the UHC, there should be improved access to quality hospitals and health facilities.
First, the quality of government-owned and operated hospitals and health facilities is to be upgraded to accommodate larger capacity, to attend to all types of emergencies, and to handle non-communicable diseases.
Signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in February, the new law intends to automatically enroll every Filipino in the National Health Insurance Program.
With the new law, Filipinos will automatically possess “immediate eligibility” and have access to health care services, which includes preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative care for medical, dental, mental, and emergency health services.
Duque meanwhile reminds the personnel of JRBGH to always smile and put the needs of the patients first.
“It is not enough that we have a better looking hospital, improved equipment and a cutting-edge technology, what is more important is your attitude, how you deal with our patients,” Duque said.