Guv orders review into ambulance fees

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III said they are reviewing reports that district hospitals are charging fees for the use of their ambulances but stressed that indigent patients should be exempted from such charges.

“For those kanang mga indigents gyud, exempted sa payment sa gasoline. Amo na’ng gi-review karon,” Davide said in an interview with the media.

Davide said the issue is already being reviewed by the Provincial Board Committee on Health headed by Peter John Calderon.

The review came after it was reported that district hospitals are charging patients who use their ambulances. The amount collected is said to fund for the maintenance of these service vehicles.

But since the Capitol is providing funds not only for their maintenance but also for the fuel, Davide has asked a review on the reports.

Daanbantayan town has earlier asked for an investigation on this after noting that the charge by the district hospitals in bringing patients to hospitals in either cities of Bogo or Cebu reaches to as much as P2,500.

This prompted the town to issue a new law allowing the residents to use of its two ambulances free of charge.

In Talisay District Hospital, a patient is reportedly not rushed to the nearest hospital without the ambulance fee of P300 to P500, depending on the distance, paid first. The district hospital is run by the national government.

With so many complaints coming from the indigents, Talisay City Mayor Johnny V. De los Reyes has provided his private ambulance for their use.

De los Reyes has also distributed mini-ambulances to the different barangays so that patients, especially those who cannot afford the additional cost, would be rushed to hospitals right away. — (FREEMAN)