2 P’sinan hospital workers suspended for dishonesty

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines – Two employees of a municipal hospital here have been suspended for alleged dishonesty, grave misconduct and abuse of authority.

Administrative assistant Jessie Fabia and pharmacy aide Richell Fernandez, both of the Manaoag Community Hospital in Manaoag town, were ordered suspended by Gov. Amado Espino effective Friday.

Fabia and Fernandez were accused of doctoring hospital bills, based on a complaint filed by a patient.

In a letter dated Jan. 2, the complainant told Espino that she was charged P4,000 for her confinement from Aug. 16 to 20 last year.

The patient said the bill originally amounted to P8,000 despite her being classified under the C3 and D of the provincial government’s health care program.

The point-of-care program, which was implemented last year in all state hospitals, provides free hospital charges to indigents under the C3 and D category. 

The complainant’s sister said the bill was reportedly reduced to P4,000 by Fernandez upon Fabia’s instruction. She said they did not contest the charges as they were immediately issued a discharge form.

However, records show that the hospital remitted only P81 to the provincial treasurer’s office. 

Deputy provincial health officer Jeremy Rosario said the charges against the two hospital employees would serve as a warning to all hospital and provincial personnel against committing any offense against the government.