Davide to focus on healthcare

CEBU, Philippines — Outgoing governor Hilario Davide III lays out concrete plans on healthcare policies that he will be pushing once he assumes the position of vice governor.

As one of his main thrusts in the next three years, the incoming vice governor already had his eyes set on hospitalization and healthcare programs on which he has been focusing in his two consecutive terms as governor.

He said at a press conference Monday that he plans to push for measures that will reduce referrals to big hospitals in Cebu City to ease decongestion due to many admissions.

Davide said this existing idea would be possible once facilities and services at the provincial and district hospitals, which serve as "catchment" hospitals, are continually strengthened and improved.

The improvements are actually being implemented already during his administration wherein several hospital equipment were acquired so that local hospitals like in the cities of Carcar, Danao and Bogo could cater major operations and will not need to refer patients to Cebu City.

Davide also wants to continue the scholarship programs for those who wish to become doctors as this also encourages applicants to serve local hospitals instead of going abroad.

Moreover, he seeks for the support of the incoming administration to continue the medical and dental missions that have been conducted in far-flung villages.

Davide has earlier expressed that his number one priority in holding public office will be on healthcare programs and services that would become accessible even to indigent patients.

If he had his way, he has said he wanted to head the Committee on Health at the Provincial Board.

Davide will also be concentrating on the enhancement of provincial and district hospitals.

He found these plans necessary since Cebu has been tagged as one of the areas for the pilot implementation of the Universal Health Care Law. (FREEMAN)