DOH to modernize children’s hospital

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) plans to modernize the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC).

DOH Secretary Enrique Ona said he ordered the creation of the PCMC Modernization Task Force to study the proposal of PCMC assistant director Vince Gomez to acquire the 3.8-hectare lot at the corner of Quezon Avenue and Agham Road in Quezon City, where the PCMC stands, from the National Housing Authority (NHA) and construct two buildings.

The NHA is selling the property for P1.2 billion.

“Our main goal is to give the children better services and better quality of care because they are the future of our nation. Uninterrupted service to the children is non-questionable,” he said.

NHA general manager Chino Cruz said they could not donate the lot to the DOH because they also need to raise funds for their housing projects for the poor.

He also denied sending an “eviction notice” to the DOH and the PCMC.

Ona, meanwhile, said they are also looking at the possibility of relocating the 35-year-old children’s hospital.

“Nothing is final yet because we are studying the proposal and we are still negotiating with the NHA... But the truth is the DOH wants to modernize PCMC, either at another location or on its current one, if the latter is found to be the best option,” he said.