Abby Binay: DOH must secure funding for health centers to ease LGUs burden

Abby Binay

TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Health (DOH) should not impose additional burdens on local governments by constructing health centers but passing the responsibility for funding their operations to localities, Senatorial candidate and Makati Mayor Abby Binay said.

In a press conference here Friday, Binay said that while the national government focuses on building health infrastructure, it is left to the local governments to manage and fund these centers.

“It is an unfair expectation for many LGUs, especially those in poorer municipalities,” Binay said.

Coming from the perspective of a Mayor, she said she understood why many LGUs are averse to Super Health Centers. “Kapag tatayuan ng health center, ang LGU ang maghahanap ng doctor, nurse, at magme-maintain ng facility. Chances are,  ang munisipyo o LGU ay walang kapasidad,” Binay said.

Binay called for a more consultative approach between the DOH and local governments.

“There has to be a connection. Kailangan may consultation palagi between the DOH and the LGU para ma-encourage nga sila na magbukas pa ng super health centers,” she said.

According to Binay, the national government must ensure that the health needs of the people are addressed effectively, without compromising the financial stability of LGUs.

“Kailangan po tuluy-tuloy ang suporta ng national government sa ating mga LGUs for them to be encouraged to open more super health centers. Hindi po nila kakayaning magbukas ng ospital dahil masyadong mahal ang ospital,” she said.

Binay also proposed a possible solution to the funding problem. She said  that LGUs could form themselves into clusters and share in the costs of operating a super health center  strategically positioned to be accessible to all cluster members.