PRRD leads groundbreaking of new Malabon hospital

GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONIES. President Rodrigo R. Duterte leads the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital in Malabon City on January 29, 2019. Joining the President are Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Malabon City Vice Mayor Jeannie Sandoval, Malabon City Representative Federico Sandoval II, and former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go. (Toto Lozano/Presidential Photo)

MANILA — President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Tuesday led the groundbreaking ceremony of the new site of the San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital (SLRGH) in Panghulo, Malabon City.

Duterte, in his speech, described the hospital’s expansion from a 10-bed capacity to a 200-bed capacity general hospital as a “promising development.

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He said the hospital will serve not only the people of Malabon, but also patients coming from adjoining areas such as Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela) and Bulacan.

“The valuable efforts of the people behind this initiative will surely go a long way because thousands of Filipinos who are sick will benefit from it, particularly those who have less or no capacity to afford their medical expenses,” Duterte said.

The President expressed hope that doctors and allied medical professionals would be working with the government to treat patients to the best of their abilities.

“I also enjoin all health workers to observe the Code of Conduct and Patient’s Rights to the best of your ability. May you continue to provide accurate, responsive and compassionate medical care for our people,” Duterte said.

He also called on local leaders to cooperate with the national government in ensuring timely delivery of health services to the poor Filipinos.

Meanwhile, Duterte reiterated his administration’s commitment to improve the country’s government hospitals.

“I reiterate this administration’s resolute commitment to enhance and strengthen the operational capabilities of government hospitals to cope with the health care and medical needs of the Filipinos, especially the poor and the marginalized,” he said.