DOH, UP tie up for improved PGH service

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health and University of the Philippines (UP) signed on Wednesday a memorandum of agreement for a partnership to procure modern life-saving equipment for Philippine General Hospital (PGH) patients.

Acting Health Secretary Janette Garin said the entire UP system is one of the government's best machinery to deliver community health care services to underprivileged and under-served Filipinos.

"Today, through this memorandum of agreement, we witness the rebirth of the re-energized DOH-UP System partnership in improving the lives and health of millions of Filipinos,” Garin said during the the signing of the agreement between the DOH and the UP system.

Garin noted that UP students' slogan "serve the people" is significant and resonant for all DOH workers and that they support the state university's activities to contribute in solving the country's problems.

“Let the UP System, specifically UP Manila, the Health Sciences Center, be the critical collaborator and active partner of the Department of Health in improving human health resources, health systems research, and policy development to ensure better health for our people," Garin added.

UP Manila Chancellor Carmencita Padilla said that the DOH-UP partnership is a challenge for the UP community to face the issues and concerns of the country. 

Padilla added that the partnership is also between the UP system and the Filipino people, which would benefit the national health system.

"To the best of our abilities and despite our limitations, we continue to deliver health care to the disadvantaged patients needing immediate and sustainable medical services,” Padilla said.

The PGH services more than 500,000 patients every year, a significant percentage are underprivileged, according to a report.