Manila eyeing 2 specialized medical facilities

Two of the six hospitals in the city of Manila will soon become specialized medical facilities, one as a dialysis center and the other, a center focusing on heart diseases.

Officials said Ospital ng Maynila (OSM), which is currently being renovated, will become the flagship hospital in the capital city while Gat Andres Bonifacio memorial medical center will become the dialysis center and Sta. Ana hospital will be centered on cardiology or the treatment of diseases of the heart.

Next month, officials are also set to unveil the newly renovated OSM which is being turned to look like a private hospital. At a total cost of 200 million, the new OSM will have a new building, increased bed capacity and new fixtures including a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment that is being procured by the city for 130 million.

“Despite all these developments, our health services remain free,” Mayor Joseph Estrada said in an interview.

Estrada said there was no need for six district hospitals since three national hospitals already exist in the city: Fabella memorial hospital, Jose Reyes memorial medical center, Philippine General Hospital (PGH).

About one-third of the city’s budget goes to the six district hospitals which receive at least 200 to 300 million annually.

“They (six hospitals) are already there; might as well do something about it,” Estrada said.

The plan is aimed at maximizing the services of the health facilities also by strengthening the barangay health centers which will be turned into primary healthcare facilities.

At the Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center, 64 new dialysis machines are already serving Manila patients.

Third District Councilor and Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Bernardito Ang said 36 more dialysis machines will be procured to complete the 100 units pegged for the Manila dialysis center.

In December, 2014, the Manila Dialysis Center was opened under a partnership agreement with dialysis machines supplier, B. Braun Avitum Philippines. Strengthening the Health Centers

Officials are also eyeing the 59 health care centers in the city to become primary health care facilities.

The health centers are envisioned to become the residents’ first resort on medical care especially in simple concerns such as colds and coughing.

Dr. Benjamin Yson, chief of the Manila Health Department assured the public that medicines are available in the health centers and are dispensed upon discretion of the doctors.

“It is not true that we do not have medicines here. If you could check our records, our clients keep coming back. As we all know, some diseases are caused by viruses that go away on its own after a few days. Sometimes, we tell our patients to go back so we could check their condition after a few days but we give them the medicines that they need. If we do not have the services and the medicines, why would they keep coming back?” Yson explained.

Aside from the health centers, Manila city also has 12 lying – in centers or birthing homes.

Yson also said the 12 health centers are complete with all the essential vaccines for children.

Meanwhile, Estrada emphasized that health services in the six district hospitals remain free including dialysis sessions.