The House Committee on Health has approved measures for a new specialty hospital and the modernization of existing ones, boosting efforts at improving the Philippine healthcare system.
Presided over by its vice chairman, Anakalusugan Party-list Rep. Ray Reyes, the Committee approved House Bills (HBs) 123 and 6324, authored by Reps. Juliet Marie de Leon Ferrer and Samuel Verzosa Jr., respectively, which seek to establish the Liver Center of the Philippines.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police welcomed Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos III, during his visit to the PNP General Hospital at Camp Crame, Quezon City on Thursday.
In his welcome remarks, Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr., Chief of the PNP, expressed gratitude for Rep. Marcos’ gracious donation and his visit to the primary police healthcare facility.
Reyes said the Liver Center of the Philippines is borne of the pressing need to confront the rising prevalence of liver diseases, which he described as a complex health concern, that requires specialized attention, research, and comprehensive care.
Ferrer, in sponsoring HB 123, said the measure is close to her heart, as her mother died of autoimmune liver disease.
“We do have a Heart Center. We do have a Lung Center. We have a Kidney Center. So maybe it is about time that we have a Liver Center,” Ferrer said.
A lot of Filipinos are suffering from liver disease but there are limited facilities and doctors who specialize in liver transplant, while there are many doctors for kidney transplants, Ferrer added.
Versoza filed HB 6324 after losing his father to liver disease last year.
Speaking for the Department of Health (DOH), Health Development Facilities Bureau Development Management Officer IV Phoebe Cabbab relayed that the DOH supports the establishment of the Liver Center of the Philippines.
She however said that upgrading existing public hospitals to accommodate specialty centers would be more cost effective and time efficient compared to constructing single specialty hospitals.
National Kidney Transplant Institute (NKTI) Executive Director Dr. Rose Marie Rosete-Liquete concurred with the DOH.
Dr. Jennelyn Agcaoili-Conde of the Hepathology Society of the Philippines said her agency is looking forward for the said measure to be enacted into law. Conde said that liver cancer is the fourth most leading causes of death in the country.
“A lot of deaths are happening almost 2,000 new cases of liver cancer, and 9,953 deaths in 2020, so can you imagine how many Filipinos are suffering with liver cancer, even for liver cirrhosis,” Agcaoili-Conde said.
According to the World Health Organization, the Philippines has the highest number of cases of chronic hepatitis B, compared to Southeast Asian countries she cited.