BGHMC told to set up Geriatric Care Center
City officials requested the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) to open or set up an outpatient department for geriatric care in the city.
Under Resolution No. 513, series of 2022, local legislators stated that in order to support the law and potential use of the ‘senior citizens ward’ in the city, community-based health workers among senior citizens and health personnel shall be trained to specialize in the geriatric care and health problems of senior citizens.
During the Senior Citizens Official for a Day (SCOFAD) session held on October 17, 2022, the SCOFAD council adopted the proposal of SCOFAD Councilor Mario M. delos Reyes that requested the BGHMC to open or set up an out-patient department for geriatric care that would cater primarily for senior citizens.
Republic Act (RA) 9994, otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act, is now serving its objectives providing special privileges to senior citizens.
Section 5c of the said law establishes a “senior citizens’ ward” in every government hospital which shall be for the exclusive use of senior citizens who are in need of hospital confinement by reason of their health conditions, and that when urgency of public necessity purpose so require, such ward may be used for emergency purposes, after which, it shall be reverted to its nature as ‘senior citizens’ ward. – Dexter A. See
