Rama looks into CHAMP plaints

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama yesterday ordered his Executive Secretary Belinda Navascues to look into the report that some policies of the City Hospitalization Assistance and Medical Program (CHAMP) are not favorable to the beneficiaries.

Rama told The FREEMAN that he has ordered Navascues to verify and find out what could be done to improve the services of CHAMP to the beneficiaries.

Botika sa Masa also known as Dominique Pharmaceuticals allegedly release drugs and medicines to CHAMP beneficiaries only from 2 to 5 o’clock in the afternoon.

The City Hall employee assigned in that drugstore explained that such policy is implemented because every morning, she makes a report on the supplies released in the previous days.

But the patients were complaining because there were instances that they really need the medicines in the morning, especially for emergency cases. They also complained about the behavior of the City Hall employee assigned in that drug store.

The city, through the CHAMP office headed by Henry Sanchez, is contracting the services of three drugs stores: Pro-Champ, situated along Panganiban corner Sanciangko Streets; Botika sa Masa and Pro-INAY Pharmacy, both located at B. Rodriguez Street.

A CHAMP beneficiary complained because when the personnel of Botika sa Masa told her that they do not have stocks of her needed medicines, she went to the nearby Pro-INAY hoping that there she may be able to get the supply. While Pro-INAY has the needed drugs and medicines, she was told by the pharmacy personnel that they will give the supply but they need cash.

Even City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete admitted that there are several problems involving CHAMP that needs to be solved.

Each city resident is entitled to P5,000 assistance for drugs and medicines every year if they are outpatients and P25,000 if they are confined at the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) or in any other hospitals accredited by the city.

The city is allocating millions of pesos for CHAMP.

Philipp Zafra, the mayor’s chief of staff, has assured that the problem would be solved once the city will be the one to purchase the drugs and medicines and it will be entrusted to the CCMC pharmacy where the CHAMP beneficiaries can claim them.

The state auditors said it is possible that the city could procure the drugs and medicines directly from the manufacturers or authorized dealers at much cheaper prices and the hospital pharmacy could also earn if they sell these at a little mark-up. —/MIT (FREEMAN)