Presidential aspirant and Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso described as “truly world-class” the newly-opened Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Medicine and Robotics Center of the Sta. Ana Hospital.
“We always wanted the best. Sometimes, it is being compared to, maybe first-class services the private sector can offer. If the private sector can provide first-class service, the government is more capable because the government has money—people’s money which should be returned to them through efficient services,” Domagoso said as he and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna inaugurated the facility on Monday.
According to the 47-year-old presidential candidate, the center is part of the city government’s continuous effort to improve health services and upgrade medical equipment in district hospitals to further serve its constituents.
The program is in partnership with private firm Robocare Solutions, Inc., from which the Manila City government loaned units of Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) that is powered by advanced robotic rehabilitation technology.
It is the first and only robotic exoskeleton that trains the brains and limbs of a patient to walk again.
HAL is the leading advancement in addressing stroke and other neurologic conditions by helping patients recover their physical mobility. The machine is programmed to detect faint bioelectric signals on the surface of the skin, which reflects a patient’s intention to move.
Using these signals, HAL allows the wearer to perform the desired movements with their voluntary commands. The physical therapist can see these signals and adjust settings on the robot suit to amplify weak signals and focus on desired signals.
“I don’t like to pay lip service. When we create things, we always wanted to achieve things above average because the people deserve better things from their government, especially nowadays,” he said.
Domagoso said people who will be able to visit the state-of-the-art medical facility in Sta. Ana Hospital will be very much impressed with what they will see and experience.
He admitted that he is always on the lookout for the latest technology to replicate in Manila for the benefit of the city’s residents, especially those who cannot afford the services of private hospitals.
“We’ll always copy, duplicate and innovate. We’ll always look for real solutions and quick action for our countrymen. So, with the help, especially of AI (Artificial Intelligence) or in this case, robots, it’s easier for our countrymen to recover,” Moreno said.
“Modesty aside, we always try to compete with the first-class services being offered by the private sector. So, if the private sector can do it, the government can do it better,” he added.