Health department slashes bed capacity in big rehab center

February 13, 2017

The health department said the number of beds in a big drug treatment and rehabilitation have been reduced.

Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial announced on Monday the downsizing of operations of the Mega Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (DATRC) inside Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.

In a press conference, Ubial said bed capacity has been slashed from the original 10,000 to 500.

She said there is an absence of drug dependents needing to undergo residential rehabilitation program.

“We see that, in the last seven months, there is really no need for residential type of facility because the community-based program is now operational,” said Ubial.

There are three categories of rehabilitation, namely community-based, out-patient, and residential.

Ubial said the drug rehabilitation facility built inside Fort Magsaysay only has 133 patients. Ubial said they are looking at using the 100,000-square meter facility for other health department operations. DMS