Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso led the inauguration and blessing of the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Medicine Center at the Gat Andres Bonifacio Medical Center on Friday afternoon, April 29.
The center was made through a joint partnership between the local government of Manila and private firm Robocare Solutions, Inc.
The physical therapy and rehabilitation site utilizes high-end robotics technology to treat patients. It uses equipment such as units of the Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL).
According to Robocare Solutions, HAL is "the world's first cyborg-type robot".
HAL can be worn by patients to aid, enable, and accelerate their motor movements and facilitate a faster healing process.
The center particularly offers services to persons with disabilities (PWDs), those who have had major physical injuries such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injury, as well as Parkinsons' disease and others.
This is the third physical therapy and rehabilitation site established among Manila's six district hospitals, which implements the city's robotics rehab program. The first was at the Ospital ng Maynila in July 2021, and the second at the Sta. Ana Hospital on Jan 17, 2022.
Domagoso said the program is a part of his initiatives to improve Manila's healthcare services, and expand its reach to all class demographics in the city.
"Gusto ko mapagpantay-pantay. Natitikman ng mayaman na health service, matikman din ng mahihirap. Kung anong lebel 'yung nakukuha nilang serbisyo, iyon din ang gusto kong makuha na serbisyo ng ordinaryong pamilya (I want to make things equal. The level of services that wealthy people receive should also be given to ordinary families)," Domagoso said during an interview at the event.
The mayor also said a portion of the fees incurred by patients in the center will be subsidized by the local government.