Veteran Football Star Tim Tebow Opens Children’s Hospital in the Philippines

Former football star turned ESPN college football analyst Tim Tebow has opened the Tebow CURE hospital in Davao City, Philippines.

The hospital will address critical orthopedic needs of children who are not able to afford the cost of treatment. The five story building consists of 30 beds and three operating rooms. A team of 54 staffers have also been hired to take care of the patients, according to Jacksonville Business Journal.

Construction for the hospital took place in January 2012 and the building was finally completed in September 2014. It was recently granted a hospital license by the Philippines Department of Health.

In an interview with People back in October, the 27-year-old athlete said that the project took several years of planning and hard work.

"We've been waiting a long time for it. I'm really excited that it's finally going to happen. We want to provide physical care, but we'll also provide spiritual and emotional care as well."

The hospital, built in partnership with CURE International, is another addition to the Tim Tebow Foundation. Tebow's organization also includes "Timmy's Playrooms" in children's hospitals, the W15H program and Orphan Care, a program that provides grants to families adopting children with special needs, reported Design & Trend.

Building a hospital in the country holds special significance to the former quarterback who was born in the Philippines.

"I was born in the Philippines while my parents served as missionaries, and I have always had great love and passion for the Filipino people. It is so exciting to be able to provide healing and care for these incredibly deserving children halfway around the world."

The CURE hospital will have its official debut in 2015.