VALENZUELA Mayor Weslie Gatchalian on Tuesday reminded some private and public hospitals in the city to respect the laws, especially the rights of patients and their relatives, or face consequences.
Gatchalian issued the statement in an interview with The Manila Times via Viber after an amicable settlement between the complainants/victims and ACE Medical Center, located in Barangay Malanday, which they sued before a local Metropolitan Trial Court for alleged illegal detention and coercion, among others, two years ago.
The medical center decided to settle the case filed against it by giving the four complainants P1 million each, said Gatchalian, who personally accompanied the victims when they filed the complaints before the local court.
Early this year, Gatchalian exposed the so-called palit-ulo scheme after two of the four complainants — Richel Alvaro and Lovery Magtangob — sought his assistance against alleged unfair treatment and hospital violations committed by the medical center.
The two other complainants — Nerizza Safra and Cheryluvic Ignacio, both city residents — also sought the mayor’s help as they claimed that they also experienced similar incidents in 2017 and 2021, respectively, with the same hospital.
The victims reported being detained or having their deceased loved ones’ documents withheld due to unpaid medical bills, causing widespread outrage among Valenzuelanos and drawing nationwide attention, the mayor recalled during Monday’s media briefing.
Aside from the financial assistance extended by the hospital, Gatchalian said one of the complainants was finally issued the birth certificate after seven long years.
As a result of the incidents, the city chief executive said the Sangguniang Panglunsod (city council) enacted an ordinance, which he signed and approved, the Anti-Hospital Detention Ordinance.
The measure prohibits health care institutions or workers from detaining patients or their representatives or withholding birth and death certificates due to unpaid bills, provided a notarized promissory note is executed.
Lauding the efforts of concerned city officials led by the local police, city social welfare and development office, and LAMP-SINAG Action Officer Councilor Bimbo Dela Cruz — principal author of the ordinance — Gatchalian reiterated that his administration would not tolerate any form of exploitation or abuse against its citizens and vowed to assist any victims of such wrongful practices.
He commended the lawyers led by Dela Cruz for assisting the victims in filing criminal and administrative complaints to protect their rights under the law.
Furthermore, he acknowledged the Commission on Human Rights and the DOH for their prompt response and dedication to addressing the issue.
The mayor then called on all Valenzuelanos to stay informed and vigilant against similar hospital scams.
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