By Cathrine Mae V. Gonzales
THE Philippine Hospital Association lauded on Wednesday the pledge of President Rodrigo Duterte to prioritize health care, but maintained that the government has to help equip all stakeholders to make the dream of universal healthcare a reality.
“This is actually very good,” said PHA executive director Climaco Caliwara as his group prepared to celebrate National Hospital Week from Aug. 6 to 12.
Caliwara said Duterte’s promise to “strengthen the professional competence and operational capabilities of government hospitals and health facilities” was a critical concern since hospitals play an important role in providing health care, particularly to the poor.
Caliwara said Duterte’s order for the Philippine Amusement and Gambling Corp. to dedicate its revenues to the health concerns of the poor was also an important strategy because it identifies the funding source for an important public health service.
“This is really something positive. Before, the government cannot even reimburse the expenses of hospitals,” Caliwara said, referring to the previous situation where hospitals were not being paid for the services they extend to indigents. “[Now] hospitals will be ready to deal with the sick Filipinos.”
He said the Philippines already has an international reputation for the competence of medical practitioners and hospitals which are “comparable, if not better” than other countries.
“We are already being lauded internationally for our efforts,” the executive director added.
Meanwhile, Caliwara said PHA member-hospitals are already preparing activities for the celebration of National Hospital Week which is celebrated August 6 to 12 every year in pursuance of Proclamation No. 181 signed by former President Fidel Ramos.
The PHA, which counts some 2,000 government and private hospitals all over the country as members, was founded in 1947.