Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday revealed that she is pushing for the creation of a specialty hospital for senior citizens to improve their access to age-appropriate health care.
Senate Bill 1302, or the proposed Philippine Geriatric Center Act, aims to upgrade the National Center for Geriatric Health in San Miguel, Manila, into a tertiary specialty hospital for the elderly.
The proposed hospital would provide comprehensive medical services and support scientific research on the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care, rehabilitation, and relief of diseases affecting seniors.
“It will be a great relief for our grandparents to have a specialized hospital focused on their health. Our seniors need specialized care that is often inaccessible to them because health centers and public hospitals lack the necessary resources and facilities,” Hontiveros said.
The senator said the initiative will ensure that elderly Filipinos nationwide can access specialized care that is often unavailable in local health centers and public hospitals.
The bill also calls for the establishment of regional geriatric centers to extend health care services to seniors outside the capital.
“It will serve as a means to address the shortage of doctors, nurses, officers, social workers, barangay health workers, and other medical and technical personnel in caring for the health of the elderly,” Hontiveros said.
