Hospital for teachers, dependents pushed

MANILA, Philippines - The poor working conditions of public school teachers cause them to fall ill, raising the need for a special hospital to provide comprehensive health care services for the country's teachers and their dependents.

Reps. Diosdado Macapagal Arroyo (2nd District, Camarines Sur) and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (2nd District, Pampanga) authored House Bill 6491 in recognition of the important role of the teachers, who are considered as among the most reliable and dedicated public servants.

The Arroyos said they are hoping that the measure will be re-filed in the 16th Congress.

Besides taking care of their students while in school  and other teaching duties, teachers are also being constantly called upon by officials of the local and national government to assist in various extra-curricular and civil activities which contribute to the welfare of the community and the country, like gathering data for the National Statistics Office (NSO), even if it needs going to the remotest places.

Most notable is risking their lives in the performance of their specific duties during election-related duties, said Diosdado.

“They are our unsung heroes because despite the difficulties that confront their profession, they have remained steadfast in molding the values and character of our youth,” Diosdado added.

Arroyo cited a statistical report from the Department of Education (DepEd) stating that the normal teacher-student ratio in the elementary and secondary levels are now at 1:36 and 1:39, respectively.

“As a result, our teachers are exposed to health risks, most common of which are ailments coming from work-related pharyngitis, hypertension, anemia, and hyperacidity, among others,” he said.

“There is a need for the State to provide health facilities that specifically cater to the needs of teachers in view of the important role they play in educating our children and in the nation’s progress,” Dado added.

The measure, known as the Philippine Teachers’ Hospital Act, seeks the establishment of the Philippine Teachers’ Hospital to be located in the National Capital Region (NCR) as the primary medical facility for the hospitalization and medical care of teachers and their dependents.

Under the measure, all regional hospitals in the country shall establish a teachers’ ward, with an initial capacity of at least 50 beds, which will provide hospitalization and medical care to teachers and their dependents residing outside the NCR.

The Philippine Teachers’ Hospital shall provide comprehensive health care services to all teachers and their dependents and complement the existing package of services under the National Health Insurance Program, so as to include preventive, diagnostic, curative and rehabilitative programs.

The Philippine Teachers’ Hospital shall be administered by a Board of Directors headed by the Secretary of DepEd as ex-officio Chairman, the Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) as ex-officio Vice Chairman; the Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as ex-officio Members.

From the list of nominees prepared by the ex-officio Chairman, the President of the Philippines shall appoint three representatives from the teachers’ sector (Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao) as members of the Board and shall serve for a term of three years without reappointment.

Among others, the Board shall formulate and implement measures and programs to attain the objectives and purpose of the Hospital; and shall organize the its structure in accordance with a staffing pattern prepared by it and approved by the Department of Budget ad Management.

An amount of P300 million shall be appropriated for the establishment and initial operations of the Philippine Teachers’ Hospital.