More responsive health care system pushed
As such, health infrastructure projects should be prioritized and we need to further augment the operation of our government hospitals
Saying the pandemic has taught government to invest more in the health care system, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Monday said our mindset should be focused on not only overcoming the pandemic and defeat COVID-19, “but also to be more prepared and responsive to any other health crisis that may come in the future.”
Go made the remark during the Senate Committee on Health and Demography hearing on SB 1829 designating the Secretary of finance as chair of the PhilHealth board, and approval of local hospital bills
“As such, health infrastructure projects should be prioritized and we need to further augment the operation of our government hospitals,” Go said.
“To address the lack of appropriate facilities and equipment in some of our government hospitals, we will discuss today the upgrade of 10 government hospitals and the establishment of three hospitals — one in Pangasinan, one in Bacolod, and another in Davao Occidental,” he said.
The bills were already approved by the House and were transmitted to the Committee for approval.
“We will also discuss today the proposal to designate the Secretary of Finance as chairperson of the PhilHealth Board of Directors while the Secretary of Health will remain as member of the Board,” he explained.
“While I acknowledge the efforts of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III who currently sits as ex-officio chair of PhilHealth, I am in favor of taking the needed reforms to address the issues hounding the corporation. After all, PhilHealth’s mandate mainly deals with fiscal management related to healthcare,” he added.
We will also discuss today the proposal to designate the Secretary of Finance as chairperson of the PhilHealth Board of Directors while the Secretary of Health will remain as member of the Board.
It is probably time to have the Department of Finance to take the helm since PhilHealth is an insurance corporation,” Go pointed out.
The former Presidential aide, meantime, urged PhilHealth to settle its obligations with the Philippine Red Cross, which he reminded is also an issue on the proper handling and use of public funds.
As chair of the Senate Committee on Health, he offered to serve as a bridge between the concerned parties and help resolve the issue. He revealed that a recent meeting was conducted with Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Senator and Red Cross chair Richard Gordon and Gierran.
Before formally discussing the agenda of the hearing, Go asked the DoH regarding conducted studies on saliva-based COVID-19 testing being used in other countries which may be cheaper, less invasive and safer that can help restart the tourism industry which was severely affected by this pandemic.
During the hearing, various measures seeking to address the lack of appropriate facilities and equipment in public hospitals throughout the country were also discussed. Several bills establishing or converting hospitals were likewise tackled and approved on committee level.
Meanwhile, Go urged PhilHealth to settle its obligations with the Philippine Red Cross, which he reminded is also an issue on the proper handling and use of public funds.
He offered to serve as a bridge between the concerned parties and help resolve the issue. He revealed that a recent meeting was conducted with Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Senator and Red Cross Chair Richard Gordon and Gierran.