“An aging population needs a hospital for the aged.”
This was stressed by Manila 6th District Representative Benny Abante Jr. following the pronouncements of the Commission on Population on Development (CPD) that the country will have an aging population by the year 2030.
An aging population refers to the increase in the percentage of those aged 60 years and above in a country.
The CPD is the lead agency tasked with advancing integrated population and development strategies. It works in coordination with the National Economic and Development Authority to develop and implement of population-related programs and strategies in pursuit of socioeconomic development.
“I have long advocated for the establishment of a hospital that focuses on the care of the elderly because population data has shown an upward trend in the number of senior citizens,” Abante said.
“It’s very important that we have health facilities for our senior citizens all around the country, as traveling to Metro Manila to obtain quality geriatric care would be very taxing for them.”
“The elderly have unique healthcare needs that require specialized care. It’s very important that we have health facilities for our senior citizens all around the country, as traveling to Metro Manila to obtain quality geriatric care would be very taxing for them,” the veteran legislator explained.
“The government should ensure that the Philippine health system is ready to provide specialized healthcare for the elderly as many overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) plan to retire in the country after working abroad.”
The seasoned lawmaker, a longtime champion for senior citizens’ welfare, added that the government should ensure that the Philippine health system is ready to provide specialized healthcare for the elderly as many overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) plan to retire in the country after working abroad.
He pointed out that in light of the CPD assessment, the House should prioritize the passage of House Bill Number 191 or the Geriatric Health Act, which establishes the National Center for Geriatric Health and Research Institute (NCGHRI) and creates Regional Geriatric Specialty Centers in Department of Health-retained hospitals around the country.
Under the measure, the NCGHRI is mandated to:
(1) serve as an apex hospital or end-referral facility which shall specialize in geriatric health services;
(2) provide and maintain affordable, quality, and timely people- centered hospital care through an efficient health service delivery system for senior citizens;
(3) provide higher and up-to-date geriatric training for professionals, postgraduates, academics, and allied healthcare providers;
(4) develop and implement cutting-edge research studies on diseases related to old age;
(5) provide consultancy service and technical assistance in the setting of standards for geriatric wards in every tertiary level hospital, nursing home, and residential center catering to the health and functioning needs of senior citizens;
(6) extend medical services to senior citizens pursuant to the goals, objectives, and rules of the National Health Insurance Program; and
(7) provide an integrated and effective approach to the delivery of geriatric health services in collaboration with other government agencies, local government units (LGUs), and other stakeholders.
Section 8 of the Abante Bill establishes geriatric specialty centers in DOH regional hospitals, which shall serve as apex or end-referral hospitals of health care provider networks and provide training and research facilities on geriatric specialty care services.
It further states that geriatric health services “shall be available in all government primary health facilities. The level of geriatric services and corresponding facilities in specialty centers and their respective health human resource requirements shall be determined by the DOH, in coordination with NCGHRI and other stakeholders.”
Funding for the NCGHRI shall be sourced from the DOH under the General Appropriations Act.
Donations to NCGHRI shall be exempt from donor’s tax and will be considered an allowable deduction from the gross income of the donor consistent with the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997.
