Hontiveros pushes for creation of specialty hospital for senior citizens

Senator Risa Hontiveros is pushing for the creation of a specialty hospital for senior citizens to ensure that they receive quality and age-appropriate healthcare.

Hontiveros filed the Philippine Geriatric Center (PGC) Act or Senate Bill No. 1302 which seeks to upgrade the National Center for Geriatric Health in San Miguel, Manila into a tertiary specialty hospital for the elderly.

“Malaking ginhawa para sa ating mga lolo’t lola kung magkaroon ng specialized na ospital na tututok sa kanilang kalusugan,” Hontiveros said. “Kailangan ng ating mga seniors ng specialized care na madalas ay hindi accessible sa kanila dahil kulang ang kakayanan at pasilidad sa mga health center at pampublikong ospital.”

Once established, the PGC will promote medical services to the elderly and scientific research for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care, rehabilitation, and relief of diseases of seniors.

“Sisiguraduhin rin nating abot-kamay ng lahat ng seniors sa buong bansa ang specialized care na kinakailangan nila sa pamamagitan ng pagtatayo ng regional geriatric centers,” Hontiveros said.

The bill also seeks to provide scholarships, incentives, and continuing professional development for healthcare workers specializing in geriatrics.

“Ang PGC ay magiging daan para mapunan ang kakulangan ng mga doktor, nurses, officers, social workers, barangay health workers, at iba pang medical at technical personnel sa pag-aalaga sa kalusugan ng mga nakatatanda,” Hontiveros said.

She added, “Ang mga lolo’t lola natin ang ilan sa mga naging sandigan natin sa ating paglaki. Ngayong tumatanda na sila at dumarami ang mga sakit, bigyan rin natin sila ng institusyon na maasahan para bantayan ang kanilang kalusugan.”

Hontiveros also filed two other bills for the benefit of senior citizens that seek to provide them with a P1,500 monthly social pension and free medicines, vitamins, and supplements.