Bill prohibiting privatization of government-run hospitals OK'd

MANILA, Philippines - The health committee of the House of Representatives has approved a bill prohibiting the privatization of government-run hospitals to maintain the low cost of medicine and health care services to the public.

House Bill 3777, also known as the Government Hospitals’ Privatization Prohibition Act, prohibits the Secretary of the Department of Health from offering government hospitals for private acquisition.

The bill, authored by South Cotabato Rep. Arthur Pingoy, a doctor by profession, defined government hospitals as those operated by the national and local government units.     

The bill’s co-author, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, said the privatization of government hospitals will increase medical costs because of higher operating expenses.

However, privatization will allow foreign capital inflows to modernize the facilities, especially those of specialized medical institutions such as the Philippine Heart Center and the National Kidney and Transplant Institute.