Chiong: New clinic fees won't hurt underprivileged

CEBU, Philippines – Naga City Mayor Valdemar Chiong clarified that the new rates recently approved by the city government will not affect underprivileged patients who will seek laboratory services and medical services.

Last February 2, an ordinance was passed amending the fees/charges of the existing services and imposing fees/charges of the new services in Vicente M. Mendiola Memorial Clinical Laboratory.

The Vicente M. Mendiola Memorial Clinical Laboratory has been granted the license to operate a clinical laboratory by the Department of Health under License No. GCL-7-2013-068-G. It offers a broad range of new laboratory services in addition to the existing services.

The measure was unanimously approved by the city council in January.

"After a thorough evaluation and consultation through public hearing conducted, this Body deemed it appropriate to amend the fees of existing laboratory services and impose fees for the new services rendered in the Vicente M. Mendiola Memorial Clinical Laboratory, so as to maintain quality and accurate service to all Nagahanons," the approved ordinance read.

Based on the new laboratory services rates, the HbA1C test, also known as glycosylated hemoglobin test and blood lipid profile now costs P350;  PAP Smear, HB Antigen and Hearing test, P150; SGPT, SGOT, P100; platelet test, Het/Hgb, P75.

However, the fees for the laboratory services were also amended from the existing fees just like the blood typing, from P132 to P100; the creatinine exam from P96 to P70; glucose, from P78 to P60.

Under the ordinance, the payment of fees should be made to the city treasurer's office, prior to the availment of the services. The official receipt shall be presented to the laboratory in-charge who shall take note of the official receipt number and payment details in a logbook kept for the purpose.

The ordinance, however, is now subject to the review of the Provincial Board's committee on laws for final approval.