If the closure of Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospitale pushes through, residents will not just lose the hospital but also lose homes and sources of income.
This was the belief of the residents living near Fabella Hospital who attended the press conference held by the Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) yesterday.
With black ribbons tied on their arms, the locals said they went to support the health workers fighting the planned closure of the country’s national maternity hospital.
Health workers have been protesting the transfer of the hospital from its current location at Sta. Cruz, Manila to a more modern facility located near the San Lazaro Hospital compound.
“Pakiramdam ho namin maapektuhan kami sa community namin. Maraming haka-haka na once na-privatize iyan at naging commercial, e baka maalis na ang iskwater. Sa palagay ko, pakiramdam ko maalis kami, hindi naman ho sa amin ito,” said a 61-year-old man who requested anonymity.
He said they have been in the area since 2000; and his grandchildren were even born at Fabella Hospital.
Similarly, a 65-year-old woman, who has been in the area since 1982, believes that they will all be displaced when the Fabella Hospital is abolished.
“Kung matanggal ang Fabella Hospital, iyan ang butas, matatanggal lahat iyan dahil hindi naman mabibili ito kung itong ospital lang ang tatanggalin. How many years na kami nakatira. Gusto namin diyan din kami nakatira. Kawawa naman mga pinundar namin,” she said. (Charina Clarisse E. Echaluce)