Agusan hospital operation remains normal

MANILA, Philippines - The management of the Butuan Doctors Hospital (BDH) in Agusan del Norte has assured the public that the hospital remains open to serve them.

In a press conference held last week, BDH spokesman Juan Delfin Garcia said they filed with the Department of Health (DOH) a motion for reconsideration last March 20, seeking to reverse a suspension order imposed on the hospital.

On March 18, the DOH Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau imposed a one-month suspension on the BDH for alleged violation of Republic Act 8344, which prohibits hospitals from demanding advance payments for the confinement or treatment of patients.

“BDH has 15 days to appeal the order. We have filed an appeal, so the order cannot be implemented until our appeal is decided upon with finality,” BDH lawyer Felipe Macahilig said.

Macahilig said the suspension order has caused panic among their patients and the public.

“We assure everybody that the BDH is contesting the order and until the same is resolved, BDH will remain open to serve the public,” he said.

The lawyer said the hospital management exercised its right to seek a motion for reconsideration, which puts the order on hold and allows BDH to continue normal operations.

The suspension order stemmed from a complaint filed by the parents of a patient who claimed the hospital refused to treat their daughter for their failure to pay a deposit in July last year.