Gwen opposes VSMMC privatization

CEBU, Philippines - Governor Gwendolyn Garcia is joining some lawmakers in denouncing the planned withdrawal of some P4.7 billion in subsidies from 26 of the biggest public hospitals in the country, including the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) in Cebu City.

Garcia said VSMMC has been transformed under the leadership of hospital director, Dr. Gerardo Aquino.

“It has made a complete turn around, it is now in fact truly serving as a regional hospital that addresses the needs not just of Cebu but the entire region as well,” she told reporters yesterday.

Garcia said the hospital has upgraded its facilities, equipment and medical personnel to the point that “it is even now at par with our topnotch private hospitals.”

“All I can say is, if it ain’t broke, why fix it?” Garcia said.

The Province of Cebu is working closely with VSMMC especially in coordinating services from the town’s and component city’s birthing centers to the district hospitals and to VSMMC.

Garcia said VSMMC has expanded its capability and facilities to address emergency situations by setting up its emergency response system.

The governor said VSMMC has also reached a high level in the area of medical technology, as its doctors are now capable of performing an open heart bypass surgery. The hospital is offering the service at almost 1/3 or a fraction of a price patiens often pay for in private hospitals. 

The hospital is not a provincial hospital but a regional hospital managed by the Department of Health.

“I speak for and in behalf of our constituents that are now enjoying the top level services of Vicente Sotto at a fraction of the price that they would otherwise have paid had they gone to private hospitals,” Garcia said.

In yesterday’s regular session of the Provincial Board, the chairman of the committee on health, Board Member Sergio Restauro, asked the Board to take a stand on the issue.

The advantages and disadvantages of privatizing VSMMC were tackled, prompting Board Member Caesar Ian Geronimo Zambo to move for the deferment of the action until they read the copy of the proposed House Bill.

The House Committee on Health reportedly approved the proposal of Bacolod City Rep. Anthony Golez and Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Marañon III for the conversion of 26 government hospitals into corporations to raise their own revenue from paying patients.

House Bill 6099 allows the 26 hospitals to contract for loans and grants and seal joint ventures to expand or build private rooms for paying patients.  (FREEMAN)