Filtered By: Topstories
News
STIFFER PENALTIES

Duterte signs bill on medical centers, practitioners refusing to treat patients


President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law a bill imposing stricter penalties on those who refuse to administer initial medical treatment and support to patients in emergency or serious medical conditions -- without a deposit.

Republic Act. No. 10932 amends Batas Pambansa Bilang 702, also known as “An Act Prohibiting the Demand of Deposits or Advance Payments for the Confinement or Treatment of Patients in Hospitals and Medical Clinics in Certain Cases,” as amended by Republic Act. No. 8344.

Any official, medical practitioner or employee of a hospital or medical clinic who violates the provision of this act shall, upon conviction by final judgment, be punished by imprisonment of not less than six months and one day but not more than two years and four months, or a fine of not less than P100,000, but not more than P300,000.00 or both, according to Section 4 of the RA 10932.

If such violation is committed pursuant to an established policy of the medical center or upon the instruction of the management, director, or officer, the violator will have to suffer imprisonment of four to six years or a fine not less than P500,000 but not over P1 million.

The Department of Health will revoke the facility's license to operate on its third offense.

Duterte approved the amendment on Wednesday, August 3. — VDS/KVD/KBK, GMA News

LOADING CONTENT