Capitol ambulance is free of charge

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Health Office has reminded the management of provincial and district hospitals that usage of ambulance should be free of charge.

PHO chief Cynthia Genosolango made the reminder during a budget hearing on Wednesday after receiving reports that patients were asked for payment for the use of the emergency vehicle or the replenishment of the fuel. She said expenses for fuel should not be shouldered by the patients.

“We should always be reminded of that kay daghan ra bang istorya manggawas labi na nga duol na ang election,” she said.

Lawyer Winston Garcia, who already signified his intention to run for governor in 2016, earlier claimed that a patient in Barili District Hospital was asked to pay P1,500 for the use of the ambulance.

The patient had died because the family failed to produce the money immediately, resulting in the delay of the patient’s transport to the hospital in Cebu City.

Dina Orbiso, administrative officer of Barili District Hospital, belied the report, saying the hospital-owned ambulance was still under repair.

She told The FREEMAN that what Garcia was referring to may be the ambulance owned by the municipality of Barili.

“Di ko ka-explain in behalf of them (patients and local government unit) unsa ilang pamaagi, agreement sa paggamit. As far as our hospital is concerned, libre gyod na, labi na og emergency,” she said.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III, who only received the report during an interview with the media, urged patients to report to the Provincial Health Office any expenses charged against them for the use of ambulance in government-run hospitals.

“Free dapat gyod na labi na sa mga indigent patients nato diha sa atong provincial and district hospitals,” he said.

Apart from the ambulance usage, Genosolango also asked to ensure the availability of drugs and medicines in the provincial and district hospitals.

She said she had been receiving reports of medicine supplies running out of stock, which would put patients in inconvenience.

“We can always request kung dilikado na atong stock. It’s your hospital, it’s your responsibility. Palihog lang di nako gusto madungog og linya nga nahutdan na mi og tambal. You can ask your staff nurse to look at the stock and report. Just tell us (PHO) and we will act on it,” she added.  (FREEMAN)