Go wants halfway houses near hospitals

MANILA, Philippines —  Sen. Bong Go has shifted his attention to the condition of people who are staying with and looking after their relatives confined in hospitals.

Go said the burden of patients extends to their watchers. He said that family members – parents, siblings, grandchild or nephews and nieces – who take turns in watching over a sick relative bore the emotional, physical and financial strains brought by hospital confinement.

As vice chairman of the Senate committee on health, Go noted that while clinical treatment focuses on patients, their recovery lies on the endurance and presence of their relatives.

Go made the remark following a visit to the Balay Pahulayan, a halfway house for watchers of patients confined at the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City.

Go has been pushing and supporting the construction of halfway houses at the Philippine General Hospital, Quirino Memorial Medical Center, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, Philippine Heart Center and Dr. Jose Rodriguez Memorial Hospital.

The senator said that interventions such as food, temporary shelter and transport assistance could relieve the pressure caused by the hospital confinement of relatives on watchers.