PNoy: Healthy nation is key to a strong economy

President Benigno S. Aquino III underscored the importance of providing for the Filipino people an improved, efficient and effective health program, saying a healthy nation was the key to the country's strong economic showing since he assumed office.
In his speech keynoting the 115th Anniversary of the Department of Health (DOH), the President said this is the reason why his administration has prioritized improvement of the delivery of health sector services to all Filipinos.
He said that since 2010, the budget of the DoH had been constantly upgraded from P28.68-billion in 2010 to P51.07-billion in 2013 in order for the Department to have funds to construct more modern hospitals and to increase the health coverages for more Filipinos.
"Wala pa rin pong ibang susi para sa malusog na ekonomiya kundi ang pagkakaroon ng malusog na sambayanan," Aquino said. "Kaya naman, simula nang tayo'y manungkulan, walang patid nating inaangat ang budget ng DOH. Mula sa 28.68 bilyong piso noong 2010, nasa 51.07 bilyong piso na po ito ngayong 2013. Nagawa nating itaas ng 78 percent ang budget ng DOH nang walang itinataas na buwis maliban sa Sin Tax."
(The key to a healthy economy is a healthy people. Thus,this Administration had consistently increased the DOH budget over the years. From P28.68 billion in 2010, it had gone up to P51.07 billion in 2013. We were able to increase the DOH budget by 78 percent without increasing taxes except for Sin Tax.)
"Sa kabila nito mulat tayong hangga't hindi ito tumatawid at nararamdaman ng mga Pilipino, mananatiling datos lamang ang mga ito. Ang ginawa nating aksyon mula sa 57.2 milyon na ating dinatnan, umabot na po sa 79.1 milyong Pilipino ang enrolled sa PhilHealth," he added.
He said "catastrophic diseases" such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, and acute leukemia can now be treated for free under the Z Benefit Package which was launched last year while an expanded Z Benefit Package that will include heart ailment treatments such as coronary heart bypass was launched last February.
Under the DoH's Health Facilities Enhancement Program, the President said 4,518 hospitals, rural health units and barangay health stations have already been put up and/or rehabilitated while 7,325 more health facilities will be upgraded to serve more Filipinos, especially those in remote areas where the chances of residents getting to see healthcare professional are nil.
"We will not stop until there are Filipinos who haven't seen a medical specialist in his or her whole life," Aquino," said in Filipino. "That is why we are going to upgrade and modernize 7,324 hospitals, clinics and other health facilities." (PNA)

Last Modified: 2025-Jan-05 12:00