Gov't to upgrade health facilities

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will release P1.014 billion for the health facilities enhancement program of the Department of Health (DoH) to improve the government health services.

In a statement, Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad said yesterday that the release of the funding would upgrade health services benefitting the poor and marginalized sector of the society.

Abad said the release is also part of President Aquino’s commitment to fulfill the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to improve maternal health and reduce children mortality rates.

“The government is serious in its efforts in upgrading the overall delivery of its services, particularly in the social services sector,” Abad said.

“Apart from accomplishing the MDG commitment, the funding for the Health Facilities Enhancement Program of the DoH is aligned with the President’s agenda of ensuring the rural poor’s access to healthcare services,” he added.

The budget secretary said that upgrading of health facilities nationwide is part of the social development plan of the government in line with the conditional cash transfer (CCT) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Part of CCT program criteria is for the recipients to get maternal and immunization services to reverse important social key indicators of poverty.

Apart from the P1.014 billion released budget for health facilities upgrade, the DBM has previously released P4.567 billion for the same program of DoH. To date, total releases have amounted to P6.782 billion, while a balance of P360.9 million remains for the program.

The P1.014-billion funding will cover facilities upgrade of rural health units in Regions IV-A, IV-B and V. The upgrade will cover the costs of infrastructure and equipment needed by the health facilities in three regions.

“The Aquino government recognizes the importance of providing safe and efficient health services,” Abad said.

“Public health is one of the main concerns of the administration, and that is why we are funding the necessary upgrade of these rural health institutions so the citizens, especially those who belong to the poor sector, will receive proper healthcare. Safe and efficient healthcare should not be a privilege but a right of every Filipino,” he added.