DOH Convention Hall, DOH Bldg.
San Lazaro Compound, Manila
25 June 2013

President Benigno S. Aquino III recognized the men and women in the health services for their dedication in their profession during the 115th founding anniversary of the Department of Health at the DOH Compound in San Lazaro, Manila.

“Ikaw man ay isang doktor o nurse na hindi alintana ang pagod at puyat, para magsalba ng buhay ng inyong kapwa; o karaniwang nagpapabilis sa mga tungkuling administratibo ng mga pagamutan; o guwardyang sumasalubong sa mga pasyenteng itinakbo sa emergency room sa dis-oras ng gabi, hindi matutumbasan ng anumang salita ang laki ng naiaambag ninyo sa bansa,” he said.

President Aquino also emphasized good health as the key for a healthy economy, saying that he had increased DOH’s budget of 78 percent from PhP28.68 billion in 2010 to PhP51.07 billion in 2013, without any tax increase.

He added that he had launched in February the Expanded Z Benefit Package which now covers “catastrophic” heart ailments such as severe coronary heart disease, congenital heart defects, and ventricular septal defects.

The President further said that the Health Facilities Enhancement Program is moving forward where it had built 4,518 hospitals, rural health units, and barangay health stations.

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