Bong Go reiterates warning to hospitals not to refuse patients amid COVID-19 emergency

Senator and Senate Committee on Health and Demography Chair Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go reiterated his appeal to hospitals not to refuse to administer emergency care to critically ill patients amid the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) emergency in the country.

"Nasa sitwasyon tayo na hirap na hirap talaga lahat lalo na ang ating health facilities... Kulang ang PPEs at mga kagamitan sa mga ospital at lampas kapasidad ang karamihan kaya hirap na tumanggap ng dagdag na pasyente," Go explained.

"Pero hindi ito rason para hindi magmalasakit at umaksyon ang ospital para agarang matulungan ang may sakit. Kailangan nating gawin ang tama at lahat ng ating makakaya para mailigtas ang buhay ng kapwa nating Pilipino na nangangailangan ng tulong medikal," he reiterated.

Go's appeal came after Mary Jane Alpide, a pregnant woman, died during labor at 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 ang sinumang pasyenteng lalapit sa kanila. Labag po ito sa batas," Go said.

In its official statement, Dr. Fabella Memorial Hospital said that 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."

Earlier, Go gave a stern warning to hospitals allegedly denying treatment to critically ill patients after a patient died after reportedly being turned away by as many as six hospitals in Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija, while another patient was also allegedly turned away by nine hospitals in Caloocan City without receiving any emergency treatment.

"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," Go said.

He cited Republic Act (RA) No. 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.

"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 stated.

However, the law provides that "such transfer shall be done only after necessary emergency treatment and support have been administered to stabilize the patient and after it has been established that such transfer entails less risks than the patient's continued confinement".

"Bago pa man ilipat ang pasyente sa ibang ospital na mas may kakayahang tumulong, dapat ay na-stabilize na muna ang pasyente na ito at dapat ang paglipat sa kanya ay hindi mas delikado sa kalagayan niya," Go said.

Go also warned that violators of the law will be dealt with and penalized. "Maaaring makulong ng 4 to 6 years at pagbayarin ng P500,000 to P1,000,000 ang mga opisyal ng ospital na involved sa ganitong gawain."

Meanwhile, Go assured that he will have the incidents investigated by authorities and bring offenders to justice.

"Papaimbestigahan ko ito bilang Chairperson ng Committee on Health sa Senado. Ipapatawag natin ang mga ospital na ito sa tamang panahon and those responsible for these unlawful acts should and will be held accountable," the Senator said, adding that the National Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice and the DOH are ready to conduct investigations on the hospitals that allegedly refused to provide treatment to patients.

"Sa ngayon, papaimbestiga rin natin ito sa NBI at DOH Health Facilities Oversight Board. Nagsabi na rin si DOJ Secretary Guevarra na handa silang imbestigahan at panagutin itong mga hospital officials who refuse to provide initial medical treatment in serious or emergency cases," Go said.