Department of Health targets to build 329 specialty centers

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) is set to designate 329 specialty centers to increase health care access to Filipinos by 2025.

At present, there are 46 functional specialty centers; six of which were completed in 2021 which includes Cebu’s Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC).

VSMMC is a specialty center for neonatal services along with the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMHMC), and the Batangas Medical Center (BMC) and SPMC and the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) for cancer.

The DOH, in coordination with local government units, has ramped up its efforts to capacitate the different regional and local hospitals and healthcare facilities.

The establishment of the Specialty Centers is aligned with the Philippine Health Facility Development Plan (PHFDP) 2020-2040 which provides a clear investment roadmap and allocation framework for building healthcare facilities throughout the country based on the current and projected burden of diseases and the needs of the population.

The PHFDP aims to promote efficiency and equity, as well as provide a service delivery model that is aligned with the Universal Health Care Act.

“The provision of specialty healthcare services through more specialty centers is part of Universal Health Care's promise to make healthcare services more accessible to every Juan and Juana, no matter where they are in the country. Alam natin na dagdag pasanin sa bulsa ng ating mga kababayan ang dumayo sa malalayong syudad para makapagpagamot, kaya nagpapatayo tayo ng karagdagang Specialty Centers sa mga lokalidad at nagsusulong ng primary care services.” said DOH’s Officer-in-Charge, Dr.Maria Rosario Vergeire in a statement.

The DOH proposed a budget allocation of P2.52 billion for 2023, as well as included a budget appeal for P2.34 billion capital outlay for the establishment of specialty centers in the country.

“Nakita natin sa COVID-19 na posible nating ipaabot sa ating mga kababayan ang serbisyong pangkalusugan saan man sila basta’t maglalaan tayo ng investments ayon sa klarong infrastructure development plan. To further protect Filipinos from health risks and financial burden, makakaasa kayo na ang DOH ay patuloy na makikipagtulungan sa mga ahensya, mambabatas, pribadong sektor, at ibang stakeholders upang makapagpatayo ng mas maraming specialty care centers sa lahat rehiyon sa bansa,” added Vergeire. (FREEMAN)