25 gov’t hospitals in critical need of rehab

 From: abs-cbnnews.com

The Department of Health (DoH) has revealed that 25 government hospitals in in critical need of rehabilitation.

The cost: P75 billion, or P3 billion each.

Among the 25 hospitals are: Jose Reyes Memorial Hospital, Jose Fabella Hospital, San Lazaro Hospital, Quirino Hospital and National Mental Health Hospital

Health Undersecretary Dr. Teodoro Herbosa said the government is infusing an initial P3 billion for the initial improvement of these government hospitals.

“If the government alone were to handle the rehabilitation of these 25 hospitals, it would take us more than 25 years to do it because of limited funds and the bureaucracy,” Herbosa said.

He said the Philippine Orthopedic Center, whose medical infrastructure he said became outdated in 1960, is one of the government hospitals up for private sector investment with an estimated amount of P5.6 billion.

Herbosa said the Vaccine Self-Sufficiency Program is also being offered for investment at P1.2 billion.

Herbosa said medical cost would not increase if the 25 government hospitals will be  “semi-privatized.” ###