QC gov’t set to build more health centers

The Quezon City government is set to build more health facilities in barangays that have a heavy concentration of informal settlers.

The plan includes the construction of the Lupang Pangako Health Center in Payatas B and the Betty Go-Belmonte Superhealth Center on Luzon Avenue (Tambunting area).

City health officer Dr. Antonietta Inumerable expressed optimism that the construction of additional facilities can address health concerns in District 2.

She identified as future developments the construction of a district hospital at Area 7 in District 2, where more than 500,000 of the city’s poorest reside. The area is composed of Barangays Payatas, Bagong Silangan, Holy Spirit, Commonwealth and Batasan Hills.

Records provided by the city’s health department showed that most mothers who die while giving birth come from depressed areas in District 2.

The city government, under the administration of Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr., believes it is imperative to increase investments for primary health and nutrition programs among the city’s poor.

The Belmonte administration has increased its budget for public care services from 6.20 percent in 2005 to 7.5 percent or P6.2 billion in 2006.

Among the gains cited by the mayor during his state of the city address was the P115 million allocation for the construction and repair of 24 health centers.

In addition, the city is also strengthening the territory level of health care by earmarking P400 million for the transformation of the QC General Hospital into a 330-bed facility.