Senator Bong Go has assured that he will start an investigation of hospitals that allegedly have refused to administer emergency care to critically-ill patients amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis in the country.
“Papaimbestigahan ko ito bilang chairperson ng Committee on Health sa Senado. Ipatatawag natin ang mga ospital na ito sa tamang panahon (I will investigate this as chairperson of the committee on health in the Senate. We will summon hospitals at the right time) and those responsible for these unlawful acts should and will be held accountable,” Go said.
The legislator also said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Health (DOH) are ready to conduct investigations on the hospitals that allegedly have refused to provide treatment to patients.
The lawmaker reiterated his appeal to hospitals not to refuse to administer emergency care to critically ill patients.
“Nasa sitwasyon tayo na hirap na hirap talaga lahat lalo na ang ating health facilities… Kulang ang PPE (personal protective equipment) gears at mga kagamitan sa mga ospital at lampas kapasidad ang karamihan kaya hirap na tumanggap ng dagdag na pasyente (We are in in a really difficult situation especially our health facilities. There is not enough personal protective equipment in the hospitals and don’t have enough capacity, that’s why it’s difficult to accept patients),” the senator said.
Go however, said it should not be the reason to refuse patients, particularly emergency cases.
“We need to do our best to save the lives of our countrymen who need medical attention.”
“Kailangan nating gawin ang tama at lahat ng ating makakaya para mailigtas ang buhay ng kapwa nating Pilipino na nangangailangan ng tulong medical (We need to do our best to save the lives of our countrymen who need medical attention),” said the chair of the Senate committee on health and demography.
Go renewed his appeal after Mary Jane Alpide, who was pregnant, died during labor at the Rizal Medical Center after being reportedly turned down earlier by four medical facilities, allegedly including Dr. Fabella Memorial Hospital.
“Inuulit ko po, hindi maaaring tanggihan ng mga ospital ng sinumang pasyenteng lalapit sa kanila. Labag po ito sa batas (I repeat, hospitals should not reject any patient. That’s against the law),” he said.
In its official statement, Dr. Fabella Memorial Hospital said it has “designated a separate and exclusive building to care and manage obstetrics, gynecologic and pediatric patients suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 infections.”
However, the hospital also mentioned that “the time to expand and complete the facility may have taken awhile considering the renovation and procurement of needed equipment.”
Go earlier gave stern warning amid reports that a had patient died after reportedly being refused by as many as six hospitals in Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija, while another patient was also allegedly refused by nine hospitals in Caloocan City without receiving any emergency treatment.
“How many more patients have to die before hospitals will learn to follow the President and the law?”
“Ilan pang pasyente ang mamamatay para matuto ang mga ospital na maging tapat sa kanilang tungkulin at sumunod sa utos ng Pangulo at sa batas? Hindi na dapat ito maulit muli. Dapat turuan ng leksyon ang mga ganitong ospital at managot ang mga kailangang managot (How many more patients have to die before hospitals will learn to follow the President and the law? This should not happen again. These hospitals should be held accountable),” he said.
Go cited Republic Act 10932 or the “Anti-Hospital Deposit Law” which declares it unlawful for a hospital or medical clinic to refuse to administer medical treatment and support to any patient.
He said patients can be transferred to other health facilities if the hospitals have not enough capacity but “such transfer shall be done only after necessary emergency treatment and support have been administered to stabilize the patient.”
Citing the law, Go said violators will face jail time of from four to six years, and payment of a fine from P500,000 to P1 million.