Osmeña says cancer center at South Road Properties goes beyond politics

(The Freeman) Updated August 04, 2009 12:00 AM

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Tomas Osmeña welcomes opposition leader and businessman Jonathan Guardo’s support to his plan to have a cancer center at the South Road Properties (SRP). here

Osmeña, in an interview during the turn over of 22 buses to the city’s northern barangays, said the proposed project “such as this goes beyond politics.”
“The MD Anderson is a project that goes beyond politics, but whether he endorsed it or not, I know what’s good for us,” Osmeña said.
Guardo earlier said that cancer has been a growing menace, causing the death of important people, including his own father.
This is the reason why Osmeña deserves all the support in making possible the setting up of MD Anderson Cancer Center at the SRP, he added.
He said he is sure that there are hospitals capable of dealing with cancer but Cebu needs world class expertise.
MD Anderson, Guardo said, has treated the mayor’s urinary bladder cancer and there will be a huge demand for that kind of treatment.
“Sure, I know. That’s what I’m saying. Anyone that has an experience with cancer can actually relate and will feel the need. I mean, one would want to get the best treatment,” Osmeña said in response to Guardo’s statement.
The mayor denied insinuations that only those who have money can avail of the treatment at the proposed cancer center at the SRP, saying there are a lot of programs that can be availed even if there is little or no cash at all.
“MD Anderson has programs that do not require money like cancer prevention, early detection, life lengthening and all those stuffs you know,” Osmeña said. In this manner, he said Cebuanos will no longer rely on bogus medicines that have superficial or fake claims.
The Cebuanos will also rely on MD Anderson standard of practicing medicine and not to stand with the bad culture among Filipino doctors who are not afraid of medical malpractice.
“Here doctors get offended when you get a second opinion; they diagnose dengue for tonsillitis, what? In there, doctors consult each other,” Osmeña said.
Aside from the treatment that can be availed by Cebuanos, the MD Anderson will also open a venue for medical tourism since people as far as the Middle East will come to Cebu City.
Osmeña recently met with the Department of Health (DOH) to discuss plans and legalities of the project.
The building is planned to be built by Filinvest Land Inc. in the 50.6-hectare area that is part of the joint venture agreement it has signed with the city government.
Business tycoon Manuel Pangilinan is also being considered to invest in the project in terms of hospital supplies and equipment. — Ferliza C. Contratista/WAB (THE FREEMAN)