Bong Go calls for more support for PGH amid ER capacity issues

Senator Bong Go emphasized the need to provide adequate support for the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) to ensure it can continue to serve Filipino patients, particularly the poor.

"Dapat ibigay natin ang suportang kailangan ng PGH upang masigurong kaya nitong alagaan ang mga pasyenteng Pilipino. That is why we should prioritize health! The more we should invest in our healthcare system!" Go said.

("We should provide the support that PGH needs to ensure it can take care of Filipino patients.")

He questioned whether it would be acceptable to tell impoverished patients to avoid seeking treatment due to capacity limitations in the emergency room (ER).

"Pwede mo bang sabihin sa mahihirap na pasyente na huwag munang magkasakit kasi hindi kayang i-accommodate sa ER?" he added.

("Can you tell poor patients not to get sick for now because the ER can't accommodate them?")

Go pointed out that during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte, monthly funds were allocated to PGH to support its operations and improve services, particularly for the poor who rely heavily on government and public hospitals like PGH.

"I also pushed for — as principal sponsor and one of the authors of Senate Bill 2928 — the increase of PGH's bed capacity to 2,200 beds. This has been approved by both the Senate and the House of Representatives. I hope it will soon become law as this would be a significant help to underprivileged patients," Go said.

As chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Go reiterated his primary focus is to ensure the health of every Filipino, as it directly impacts their lives.

"Bilang chairman ng Senate Committee on Health, pangunahin kong interes ang masiguro ang kalusugan ng ating mga mamamayan, dahil katumbas ito ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino," Go said.

("As chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, my primary interest is to ensure the health of our citizens, as this is equivalent to the life of every Filipino.")

He further assured that the Senate Health Committee will continue to address the issue and work towards improving the healthcare services accessible to Filipinos.

"Tututukan ito ng Senate Health Committee at tatalakayin sa susunod na magiging pagdinig upang mabigyan ng solusyon at mas maisaayos ang serbisyong pangkalusugan na nais nating ilapit sa bawat Pilipino," he concluded.

("The Senate Health Committee will focus on this and it will be discussed in the next hearing to find a solution and improve the healthcare services that we want to bring closer to every Filipino.")