SP probes hospital’s detention of deceased patient’s body
LINGAYEN– The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) on December 11 has started its probe on a hospital’s alleged detention of a deceased patient, whose family was not able to immediately settle the hospital bill.
The issue was probed after Dahlia Marcelo of Urbiztondo town complained to 2nd District Board Member Raul Sison of the “18-hour “detention” his deceased father’s body in a private hospital in Dagupan City.
Marcelo pleaded for consideration for her family to settle the hospital bill right after his father’s interment, but Medical Centrum Dagupan Hospital refused, requiring them to submit the requirements for the release of his father’s cadaver which include promissory note and collaterals.
Marcelo presented the tax declaration of their land property, and registration of the family’s tricycle as collateral, along with the initial payment of Php25,000 (the cash amount on her pocket), and a promissory note to settle the remaining amount of Php141,253 hospital bill after his father’s funeral, but these were rejected.
Rolando, father of Dahlia, died at 1:35 a.m. of December 1, and was released at 8 p.m. right after his family complied with the hospital requirements.
Sison said the SP probe intends to determine if the hospital violated the law by detaining a patient or a deceased patient’s cadaver, whose family cannot immediately settle a hospital bill.
Dr. Edwin Monis of Department of Health (DOH) – Regional Office I Licensing Department, told the SP inquiry that while it will conduct it’s own investigation, he said a deceased patient’s cadaver cannot be detained by the hospital administration and a patient’s hospital records and documents must also be released for interment purposes.
Board Member Jeremy Agerico Rosario, SP Committee Chairperson on Health and a doctor by profession, reiterated that public and private hospitals are not allowed to hold a patient who is unable to pay his hospital dues.
“This issue is a wake-up call and a reminder to everyone,” said Rosario.
Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. said a resolution will be adopted on hospital’s policies after the investigation.
The Medical Centrum Dagupan Hospital was summoned to appear but no representative appeared. (PIO/MGNO)
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
