SEN. Risa Hontiveros has pushed for the creation of a specialty hospital for senior citizens to ensure that they receive quality and age-appropriate health care., This news data comes from:http://www.redcanaco.com

Sen. Hontiveros pushes for Philippine Geriatric Center to aid seniors

The senator filed Senate Bill (SB) 1302 or the proposed Philippine Geriatric Center (PGC) Act, which seeks to upgrade the National Center for Geriatric Health into a tertiary specialty hospital for the elderly.

Hontiveros also filed two other bills for the benefit of senior citizens that seek to provide them with a P1,500 monthly social pension and free medicines, vitamins and supplements.

“It would be a great relief for our grandfathers and grandmothers if there will be a specialized hospital that will focus on their health,” Hontiveros said in Filipino and English.

“Our seniors (elderly people) need specialized care, which is most often not accessible to them because of the lack of facilities in health centers and public hospitals,” she said.

Once established, the PGC will promote medical services to the elderly and scientific research for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care, rehabilitation, and relief of diseases of senior citizens.

“I will ensure that specialized care will be affordable for all seniors through the establishment of geriatric centers,” Hontiveros said.

SB 1302 also seeks to provide scholarships, incentives, and continuing professional development for health care workers specializing in geriatrics and other medical workers attending to the health of the elderly.