By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday pledged to bring affordable, quality health care closer to Filipinos, particularly those in remote areas.
Marcos inspected the newly reconstructed Felipe Abrigo Memorial Hospital (FAMH) and the FAMH Transition Hospital in Guiuan, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing in Ilocos Norte.
“Malapit na serbisyong pangkalusugan at pagbawas sa gastusing medikal sa mga residenteng nasa liblib na lugar — ito ang mensaheng ipinaabot ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (Bringing health services closer and reducing medical expenses for residents in remote areas is the message conveyed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.),” Castro said.
Marcos was accompanied by Health Secretary Edwin Mercado and local officials.
The FAMH was damaged by Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013, forcing its temporary transfer while rehabilitation was underway.
During its temporary operations, the hospital recorded 3,078 admissions, while 969 patients received PHP2.6 million in medical assistance through the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP), Castro said.
The hospital’s rehabilitation was funded with PHP858.54 million from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Department of Health and the local government.
Marcos thanked KOICA for supporting the project.
“It’s good to see their hospital. This is that rose from the ruins of the original hospital that was completely destroyed by Yolanda. And we are grateful to, of course, the Korean assistance we received,” he said after the visit.
Castro said the reconstructed hospital is expected to open to the public in October, pending completion of permits and accreditation.
The FAMH has modern facilities and equipment, including an emergency room, operating rooms, wards and a dental clinic.
Marcos said additional nurses are needed to fully operate the hospital’s 50-bed capacity.
“We need more nurses para mabuo na ‘yung 50-bed capacity. Right now, nagagamit pa lang nila is a 25-bed. But we have [our way on] how to augment our nurses para matulungan sila (We need more nurses to make up the 50-bed capacity. Right now, they are only using 25 beds. But we have a way to augment their nursing staff to help them),” he said.
Marcos also cited the expansion of government health care programs, including the Zero Balance Billing program, which has assisted 3.57 million patients and covered PHP95.84 billion in hospital bills.
Under the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients program, the government has provided assistance to 1.71 million patients.
The government has also provided free medicines to more than 1 million patients through 3,215 facilities under the Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatients Treatment program.
Government data also showed that 2,279 medicines are now exempt from value-added tax.
