MANILA, Philippines — It is important for the public health sector to be prepared for future health crises, Sen. Bong Go said on Wednesday.
Go issued the statement during a visit to the Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC) in Quezon City.
In a speech, Go highlighted the challenges confronting public hospitals, such as the lack of infrastructure and adequate manpower.
“I have been visiting hospitals before the pandemic and I saw patients sharing one bed… We should invest more in our healthcare system. We should not wait for the next pandemic. We should be pro-active and always prepared,” he said.
Go also witnessed the turnover of P100 million each to the QMMC and other hospitals.
Go, as chair of the Senate health committee, has sponsored 39 local hospital bills so far to upgrade the capabilities, expand the bed capacities of existing hospitals and establish new ones all over the country.
In 2020, Go sponsored a bill that became Republic Act 11501, which increased the bed capacity of the QMMC from 500 to 1,000 beds.