Bong Go Warns Hospitals That Refusing Patients Amid Pandemic Is Unlawful
BONG GO WARNS HOSPITALS – Amid the coronavirus crisis in the Philippines, there were several incidents of alleged denying of patients.
As such, Senator Bong Go gave a strong warning to hospitals that refuse to provide care to critically ill patients. He stated that hospitals that do so should be reminded that refusing patients is “unlawful”.
According to an article from PIA, Go’s warning came after a patient died after being denied by 6 hospitals in Cabanatuan City. Likewise, there was another patient that was denied treatment by nine hospitals in Caloocan City.
In lieu of this, President Rodrigo Duterte called upon the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to probe the allegations.
Go echoed Duterte’s remarks that hospitals provide ill patients sanctuary. Additionally, he emphasized how hospitals should not choose the ailment of the patient they are taking in.
Furthermore, he said that he stands with the President’s decision to penalize hospitals that fail to tend to patients in critical condition. As per the article, Go stated:
Accepting patients into hospitals is of paramount importance, especially given the COVID-19 emergency in the country.
Katulad nga ng sinabi ni Pangulong Duterte, hindi maaaring tanggihan ng mga ospital ang sinumang pasyenteng lalapit sa kania
Moreover, Go cited Republic Act (RA) No. 10932 or the “Anti-Hospital Deposit Law”. This law declares that it is unlawful for hospitals to refuse treatment of any patient.
Ayon sa batas, kung hindi sapat ang kapasidad ng ospital, maaaring i-transfer ang pasyente sa ospital na may kakayahang magbigay ng tamang lunas,
Go added that before transferring, the patient should be stabilized so that there won’t be a risk while transferring. Lasly, Go warned that hospital officials who violate the law may face 4 to 6 year imprisonment and a fine of P500,000 – P1,000,000.
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