P6-B cancer center
LIKE in other countries, cancer is among the leading causes of death in impoverished Philippines, a Southeast Asian nation of more than 110 million people.
It is no surprise, therefore, that the government has approved the construction of an ultra-modern P6-billion, 300-bed capacity cancer hospital in Manila.
Meeting last Thursday (February 2), the powerful National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) board gave its nod for the building of the 20 storey center.
The project will be structured as a 30-year build-operate-transfer (BOT) arrangement.
Under the BOT scheme, the government grants a concession to a private partner to finance, build amd operate a project over a fixed period. After that period, the project is returned to the public entity that granted the concession.
NEDA is an independent Cabinet-level state agency responsible for economic development and planning. It is headed by the President as chairman of the board, with the socioeconomic planning secretary as vice chair.
The administration’s first public-private partnership (PPP) project, the center will be built at the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) campus.
It will provide a full range of cancer treatments, including radio oncology, imaging, medical oncology and support the UP-PGH’s teaching and research activities.
The construction of the new facility is part of President Marcos’ efforts to modernize the country’s health infrastructure on oncology services and cancer care.
Doubtless, the setting up of the P6-billion hospital will go a long way in helping people afflicted with the dreaded disease.
