CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Pampanga — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. highlighted that quality healthcare is not a privilege, but a right that every Filipino should readily access.
“Rest assured, this administration is determined to bring in quality healthcare services closer to Filipino people. We will establish primary healthcare facilities and specialty centers nationwide…This is a product of our relentless push for universal healthcare, and we will not stop until every Filipino can say they have good access to quality healthcare,” he said during the briefing and site inspection of the Clark Multi-Specialty Medical Center (CMSMC).
The President also mentioned that the establishment of the CMSMC is an important component of the administration’s health facility enhancement program that aims to widen access to quality healthcare services, especially to those from underserved communities.
“I am happy that the province of Pampanga in Region 3 will again have this additional medical facility. It will also cater to patients not only from Region 3 but Regions 1, 2, and Metro Manila for specialties in the heart, kidney, cancer, and pediatric illness,” he said.
With this, he thanked national government agencies and private partners who worked to make the project possible, and urged them to continue their collaboration to ensure the project’s timely completion.
Marcos also urged everyone to be part of the solution to address the lack of facilities in the healthcare system by putting forward innovative alternatives that can help uplift the lives of people.
“I think that there are sufficient lessons to be learned from our experience during the pandemic and so that we are able to equip and prepare ourselves for any such occurrence again…Aside from the pandemic, healthcare has been such an important part of this administration because of the guiding understanding and idea that any person, no matter how successful they are in whatever field they have been, cannot enjoy that success if they do not also enjoy good health,” he stressed.
For her part, Clark Development Corporation (CDC) President and CEO Agnes Devanadera said the establishment of the CMSMC will create a new opportunity for a thriving medical tourism industry and will introduce a fresh perspective to the country’s healthcare sector by attracting more visitors from diverse regions, both within the Philippines and outside the country.
“With remarkable foresight and unwavering dedication, the government has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to advancing our healthcare industry. With this, we enhance our standing as a premier destination for exceptional medical services at par with renowned healthcare destinations, hopefully like Singapore,” she cited.
Devanadera added that the facility marks a new era in healthcare services for the nation, where healthcare is a fundamental right that empowers and enhances the lives of all citizens.
“The Clark Multi-Specialty Medical Center will shine as a beacon of hope and healing, embracing its noble mission to provide specialized healthcare services to our fellow citizens with its state-of-the-art facilities including a heart center pulsating with life-saving interventions; a kidney center instilling renewed hope for vital transplants; and a children’s hospital cum cancer institute, nurturing and safeguarding the precious lives of our young ones,” she said.
Devanadera furthered that the pioneering center also becomes a catalyst for transformative change and adds a valuable asset to Clark’s industrial and tourism facets as the first-ever multi-specialty medical center dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of the Filipino people.
The construction of the first regional specialty medical center is pursuant to Executive Order No. 19, series of 2023 to support the administration’s efforts to establish more hospitals in different provinces and cities across the country.
CMSMC will be built in a 5.7-hectare property along Prince Balagtas Avenue in Clark Freeport Zone.
It will consist of various specialization centers and healthcare services such as heart center, lung center, kidney center, cancer center and children’s hospital.
The project is in cooperation with various government agencies and the private sector.
These include CDC, Department of Health, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, and Bloomberry Cultural Foundation Inc.
SOURCE: Marie Joy S. Carbungco PIA3
