Press Release
August 3, 2009

CHIZ SEEKS PRIVATE SECTOR SUPPORT FOR RP'S DETERIORATING HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

Opposition Senator Chiz Escudero yesterday encouraged the private sector to act as a partner in improving the poor state of the country's healthcare system, saying the government cannot do it alone.

Speaking at the 23rd anniversary of the St. Luke's Heart Institute in Quezon City, Escudero said that the inadequate healthcare system in the Philippines can be gleaned from the pitiful share of the Department of Health (DOH) in the national budget.

"For this year, the DOH is getting only P27.9 billion out of a national budget of P1.414 trillion, or only 1.97%. Among the line departments of the government, it ranks sixth when it comes to budgetary priority," Escudero said.

He added that in 2008, the situation was similar with DOH getting only P19.7 billion out of a national budget of P1.227 trillion (1.6%), while it was worse in 2007 where the health department only received P11.5 billion or a measly 1% of the national budget of P1.126 trillion.

"And that is just half of the picture. The country's healthcare system continues to suffer from neglect as there are not enough government hospitals, doctors and nurses to attend to the needs of the Filipino people," he said.

Escudero said there are only 719 government-run hospitals or almost half of the number of private hospitals, which now numbers at 1,202.

Aside from that, he said, there are only 2,955 doctors, 1,930 dentists, 4,374 nurses and 16,857 midwives in government healthcare facilities.

"That translates to about one government doctor for every 31,133 Filipinos," he said.

"This is why I would like to commend the private sector for its immeasurable contribution in upgrading and improving the healthcare system in the country. Malaki ang papel na gagampanan at ginagampanan ninyo sa pagbibigay ng de-kalidad na pangkalusugang pangangalaga sa ating mga kababayan," Escudero said.

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