VSMMC launches new renal, radiology center

CEBU, Philippines - To further improve the healthcare services it is giving to its patients, especially the Cebuanos, the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center yesterday inaugurated its renal center, radiology center and new reception area that highlighted the hospital’s celebration of the “National Hospital Week.”

In his opening address, Dr. Gerardo Aquino, hospital chief, said the partnership between the public and private sectors have contributed a lot for convenient, efficient and more affordable services to cancer patients.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona, who was the guest speaker during the event, likewise expressed his appreciation on the support of the University of San Carlos, which donated some facilities to be used in the newly opened sections of the hospital.

In partnership with the private sector, Ona said he is hoping that they would succeed in addressing the lack of facilities and improve the services rendered by the VSMMC especially in treating diseases like liver cancer, breast cancer and lung cancer that are common causes of death in both men and women.

“This is to lower down the number of Filipinos dying without seeing a doctor,” said Ona.

In a press release, the VSMMC’s Cancer Center reported that there is an expected 45 percent in cancer deaths from year 2007 to 2030, or from 7.9 million to 11.5 million deaths worldwide. Based on the Cancer Registry Report of the Aboitiz Cancer Center, from 1998 to 2007, breast cancer was the most common among women with 2,378 cases liver cancer was the most prevalent among men with 2,214 cases.

Meanwhile, Ona said that they are now focusing on areas like improving the healthcare financing and services by encouraging the public to enroll and be a member of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. According to him, this is one of the government’s services to the poor people to lower the number of Filipinos dying without seeing a doctor.

He revealed that in partnership with the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, they will conduct a survey and evaluate all poor Filipinos based on their income and financial needs to determine who will qualify to be beneficiaries of their free membership in Philhealth.

By October, Ona said they will start enrolling the indigent Filipinos and within 15 years, they expect all Filipinos to be registered in Philhealth.

Public hospitals around the country have been observing the National Hospital Week from August 6-12 with the theme, “Advancing Health through Adversity by Optimizing and Strength in Unity.” is the theme of the Department of Health’s Hospital Week Celebration through Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.  (THE FREEMAN)