Taguig opens medical hotline; Parañaque unveils P200M hospital

MANILA, Philippines—Two cities in southern Metro Manila launched new public medical services this week.

The Taguig City government on Monday piloted its “Doctors on Call” or DOC program in Barangay (village) Lower Bicutan, where residents can call 2251833 and 0917-8210896 for assistance in emergency situations like heart attacks or injuries caused by accidents or violent crimes.

The target is respond to emergencies within 10 to 15 minutes after receiving the call, according to Dr. Marie Irene Sy, a consultant for the project.

Barangay health centers will have a separate office for medical response teams for quick deployment. In Lower Bicutan, three teams were formed to work in shifts 24/7, each team composed of a doctor, two nurses and an ambulance driver. The ambulance is equipped for treatments that can be made on-the-spot or enroute to Taguig-Pateros District Hospital.

“We already have our 24/7 Super Health Centers, free vaccinations and maintenance medicines among many of our health services. DOC is another step to further improve the health services and benefits that we can and will provide for our people,” Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Parañaque City government has unveiled a P200-million hospital building on Quirino Avenue, near St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Barangay La Huerta. With a 120-bed capacity, the six-story structure serves as an extension of the two-story Parañaque Community Hospital.

The new building, officially known as Ospital ng Parañaque, is a priority project of Mayor Edwin Olivarez that began construction in August last year. The staff initially includes an ophthalmologist and ear, nose and throat specialist, two gynecologists, two anesthesiologists, and at least 13 nurses. A dialysis center and a physical therapy unit are also in the works.

Olivarez said Health Secretary Enrique Ona, the guest of honor at Sunday’s inauguration, promised to set aside at least P20 million from the health department’s budget next year for the new local hospital, and another P33 million for the other health centers in the city.—Jaymee T. Gamil