PH’s first mega rehab center is now open for patients

In a report published by healthpromo.doh.gov.ph, the Department of Health (DOH) with the Inter-agency Task Force officially opened the first Mega Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (DATRC) in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija on Wednesday (November 30).

Image grabbed from healthpromo.doh.gov.ph

The facility is ready to admit up to 500 drug dependents for proper treatment and rehabilitation as 2,500 bed capacity was already completed out of the 10,000.

According to Health Secretary Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial, “about 1% of an estimated 3 million drug users will need residential (in-patient) treatment. The rest will be referred either to a community-based or an out-patient rehabilitation program.”

Meanwhile, Manila Bulletin reported that, according to DOH, 37 individuals have initially applied for the government’s rehab program and it intends to start with 100 patients before the year ends.

Image grabbed from Department of Health

The government plans to build four huge drug rehab centers: two in Luzon and one each in Visayas and in Mindanao. President Rodrigo Duterte stated, “let us say next year, and if I can get hold of P1.5 (billion), maybe I will also build another one, this time somewhere in the Visayas.”

The President is considering tapping a portion of funds remitted by Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation worth P5-billion.

Ubial added that “this initiative will not only benefit the well-being of these drug victims whom we want to help and reach out to, but also for the change that we envision for our country.”

 

Source: healthpromo.doh.gov.ph, Manila Bulletin

Also read: Large-scale rehab center in Nueva Ecija expected to operate by November