KALIBO, Aklan – The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading on Nov. 8 a measure seeking to establish the Aklan Geriatric Medical Center.
House Bill 3552 aims to provide an integrated and comprehensive approach to the health development of the elderly.
“An aging population tends to have a prevalence of chronic diseases, physical distress, mental illnesses and frailty,” according to Aklan 1st District’s Rep. Carlito Marquez, principal author of the measure.
Under the bill, the Department of Health, Civil Service Commission and Department of Budget and Management are mandated to prepare the organizational plan and staffing pattern of the specialty medical center.
The Aklan Geriatric Medical Center will also promote medical and scientific research and training relative to the care, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of disease of the elderly and develop, adopt, and implement programs in Geriatric Medicine for education and training of physicians, nurses, health officers, social workers, and other healthcare medical providers.
“Although it is mandated that all senior citizens are covered by PhilHealth through Republic Act 10645, it is high time to institutionalize centers exclusive for the elderly to address health related concerns,” said Marquez./PN
