MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday said his administration aims to build over 300 specialty centers nationwide before his term ends in 2028.
The President made the announcement following his inspection of the newly-opened Brain and Spine Center of the Cagayan Valley Medical Center in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.
"As of now, we are targeting 349 specialty centers by the time I leave office in 2028," Marcos said in his speech.
The President lamented the country’s limited number of specialty centers in hospitals.
"We saw many cases where patients were not able to reach a hospital in time. And because there were no specialty hospitals like this, no large hospitals, and even the nearby hospitals were already full, some people died when they might have survived if only there had been a hospital available," he said.
Under Republic Act 11959 or the Regional Specialty Centers Act signed by Marcos on Aug. 24, 2024, the Department of Health is designated to establish specialty centers in its hospitals in every region and in state-controlled specialty hospitals.
These facilities will prioritize cancer care, cardiovascular care, lung care, renal care and kidney transplant, brain and spine care, trauma care, and burn care.
These specialty centers will also address orthopedic care, physical rehabilitation medicine, infectious disease and tropical medicine, toxicology, mental health, geriatric care, neonatal care, dermatology, eye care, and ear, nose, and throat care.
