Orthopedic Center would not be sold, says Palace

The Philippine Orthopedic Center. Can the state give up its duty to provide healthcare to the poor by allowing the country’s only hospital specializing in orthopedic care to be run by the private sector? INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Amid the brouhaha surrounding the privatization of the Philippine Orthopedic Center, Malacañang on Tuesday afternoon said that the said health institution would not be sold.

Herminio Coloma, Secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office, said in a media briefing that the government would tap support from the private sector to upgrade the facilities in the hospital.

“The government will modernize the facilities of the POC without seeding or selling the hospital to the private sector,” Coloma said.

He added that once the ‘‘privatization’’ starts, the orthopedic hospital would reduce its dependence on the national subsidy to fund its operations.

“(The privatization would) move towards an efficient and effective fiscal discipline that will support the hospital’s operational needs,” Coloma said.

“The government shall protect the welfare of the employees of the center while implementing this project.”

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