Facade of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI). (Photo Courtesy: NKTI Official Facebook Page)
QUEZON CITY, (PIA) – The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Wednesday, January 4, approved the release of the P550 million funding for the construction and expansion of the 8-storey Out-Patient Department (OPD) Building of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI).
The proposed OPD Building will serve as the one-stop shop of NKTI’s social services as well as its diagnostic and surgical facilities.
DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman has provided for the issuance of the Special Allotment Release Orders (SAROs) following the national government’s strong commitment to improve the overall health system of the country.
“No Filipino should be deprived of quality health care. That’s why we continuously give high regard to our health care facilities, more importantly, our specialty hospitals like NKTI,” said the Budget Secretary.
The said initiative also upholds the vision of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to establish a responsive and resilient healthcare landscape for Filipinos which was reflected in his 2024 budget message.
“By investing in state-of-the-art medical facilities, expanding healthcare access, and deploying healthcare professionals, we can provide high quality care and respond effectively to any future health emergencies,” the president earlier noted.
The NKTI specializes in the detection, treatment, as well as the prevention of kidney and allied diseases.
The completion of the OPD Department Building will primarily allow the NKTI to expand its outpatient services with a total funding requirement of P1.331 billion.
Under the approved 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA), a sum of P23 billion has been allocated for the implementation of the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP).
P16.1 billion of the said budget allotment will specifically cater to the construction, rehabilitation, and upgrading of the health facilities of both national and local government hospitals. (JMP/PIA-NCR)
