Renovation, upgrade of DOH hospitals won’t go through PPP – Ubial

Jee Y. Geronimo

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

This includes the new facility for the Fabella Hospital, which is expected to be finished by May 2017

DOH-FUNDED. The renovation and construction of all government hospitals, including the Fabella Hospital (photo), will be funded by the 2017 budget, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial tells congressmen on September 6, 2016. File photo from Help Fabella Facebook page

MANILA, Philippines – Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial revealed on Tuesday, September 6, that the government will no longer engage in public-private partnership (PPP) in the renovation and upgrade of public hospitals.

“All upgrading and renovating of DOH hospitals and other government, local government unit hospitals will be funded by the [Department of Health] through the [General Appropriations Act],” Ubial said during the Department of Health’s budget hearing at the House of Representatives.

Ubial was answering questions from Kabataan Representative Sarah Elago, who asked for updates on the transfer of the Fabella Hospital.

The DOH plans to transform the hospital for poor birthing mothers into a center for women’s health and move it to the health department’s compound.

Different institutions – the Manila City Hall, Department of Public Works and Highways, and a private engineering company called ESCA – have found that 4 out of Fabella’s 8 buildings are structurally unsound.

The construction of the new facility – a 6-floor, 800-bed capacity Level 3 hospital – at the DOH compound is expected to be finished by May 2017.

On Tuesday, Ubial said the ongoing construction of the hospital, which costs P1.5 billion, is funded through the GAA, and not through PPP.

Former Health Secretary Janette Garin had ordered the termination of a PPP proposal for the Fabella Hospital when she assumed office.

Ubial, meanwhile, reviewed the hospital’s transfer as soon as she took over the health department.

DOH’s proposed 2017 budget of P144 billion includes a P400-million budget for the equipment of the new Fabella Hospital. – Rappler.com 

 

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!
Avatar photo

author

Jee Y. Geronimo

Jee is part of Rappler's Central Desk, handling most of the world, science, and environment stories on the site. She enjoys listening to podcasts and K-pop, watching Asian dramas, and running long distances. She hopes to visit Israel someday to retrace the steps of her Savior.