Hospital emergency response, patient rights questioned in Cavite, Iloilo, Palawan cases

Questions about hospital emergency procedures and patient rights have emerged in three cases in Cavite, Iloilo, and Palawan involving an injured elderly man, a delivery rider who later died, and a father who claimed he was not allowed to leave a hospital because of unpaid bills.

According to "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho," the cases raised concerns about timely medical treatment during emergencies and how hospitals handle patients and their families who cannot immediately provide information or pay medical expenses.

Cavite hospital denies delaying treatment of elderly man

On September 14, police officer Rafael came across an elderly man lying unconscious on a road in Tanza, Cavite. The victim had injuries to his head and back after being hit by an SUV while crossing the street, according to the police investigation.

Rafael said the nearest hospital was about six kilometers away and the ambulance would take time to arrive. He and other people at the scene used a board to support the victim's body before bringing him to the hospital in his vehicle.

"I'm wondering, 'Why? Bakit hindi natin bigyan kaagad ng agarang lunas ‘yung taong naghihingalo, nag-aagaw buhay, at kailangan po muna ng isang kamag-anak?'" Rafael said.

["I'm wondering, 'Why? Why can't we give treatment to someone whose life is in danger and a relative must be present?’"]

He claimed hospital staff looked for the victim's relatives before allowing him to be brought into the emergency room. Rafael said he had to sign a liability waiver before the victim was admitted.

"This is between life and death. So, nagulat talaga ako na kailangan pa natin umabot sa pagtatalo para ‘yung matanda na nag-aagaw buhay ay maipasok na kaagad sa emergency room," he said.

["This is between life and death. So I was really surprised that we had to argue before the elderly whose fighting for his life could be brought into the emergency room."]

The elderly man died later that day. Police said the SUV driver was arrested and underwent inquest proceedings for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide after the victim's family decided to file a case.

The victim's family declined to be interviewed. Rafael also said the family did not agree with his decision to post the incident online.

"This is not for the views. This is about my advocacy," he said.

Hospital denies delay in treatment

M.V. Santiago Medical Center denied Rafael's allegations, saying there was no delay in the patient's treatment because staff were looking for his relatives.

Medical director Dr. Claire Jasmine Rodrigo said asking about the patient's relatives was part of the hospital's standard operating procedure to obtain medical history that doctors might need.

"We also review our CCTV cameras and everything, so we have seen the urgency of the medical staff in the emergency room," Rodrigo said.

She said the patient was stabilized, intubated, and given intravenous fluids and medication in less than 14 minutes from his arrival.

"Wala pong katotohanan na ang pasyente po ay kailangan muna may kamag-anak or ang pasyente po ay nagkaroon ng delay sa management," she added.

["It's not true that the patient needed to have relatives present or the patient experienced delay in management."]

The hospital also said it prohibited unauthorized video recording to protect patients' privacy.

Rafael acknowledged that hospital staff took action but maintained that he believed there was a delay because they were looking for the victim's relatives.

Iloilo delivery rider dies after road accident

In Iloilo City, motorcycle rider Orlando was injured in a motorcycle accident on August 27.

A video showed a man repeatedly asking personnel at the nearby Medicus Medical Center to assist the injured rider, who was lying on the road just meters from the hospital's emergency department.

Orlando's brother, Jonathan, said doctors later told him that his sibling's treatment had been delayed because he was not immediately noticed.

"Nu’ng nakita ko 'yung video tungkol dun sa mga guards, siyempre parang sobrang sama ng loob ko. Tanaw na tanaw po 'yung pagka-aksidente ng kapatid ko pero hindi po nila agad pinansin. 'Yun po ang kinasasama ng loob ko," Jonathan said.

["When I saw the video about the guards, of course I felt bad. I saw the accident clearly but they did not attend to him right away. That's why I feel resentment."]

The hospital management reportedly explained that personnel had to wait for the police and emergency responders before the rider could be brought inside.

According to an incident report submitted by the hospital to the Iloilo City Council, guards heard the accident at 3:45 a.m. and immediately called the police and the Iloilo City Emergency Response Team (ICER).

The emergency room received a call about the incident at 3:55 a.m., while police and ICER personnel arrived at the scene at 4:08 a.m. The report said ICER assessed the victim and brought him to the emergency room.

Orlando was later transferred to a public hospital because of concerns about the medical expenses at the private facility. He died two days after the accident from a fracture on the right side of his head.

Meanwhile, the Iloilo City Council filed a resolution seeking an investigation into the incident and a review of hospitals' emergency response protocols.

Palawan father alleges hospital detention over unpaid bills

In Palawan, Vincent and his wife, Krislina, said they faced another ordeal after their one-month-old son, Zion, died at Leoncio General Hospital.

The baby was admitted on August 22 after his parents noticed changes in the color and skin of his hands and feet. Krislina said they were told he had a blood infection.

Vincent said their son stayed in the hospital for more than a week before dying after the infection reportedly reached his brain.

The family then faced a hospital bill of P77,000. They had paid part of the amount but still owed P32,000.

Vincent claimed he was told that a family member had to remain at the hospital because they could not settle the outstanding balance.

His cousin, Donna, said the hospital asked them to provide collateral, such as a land title, so Vincent could leave. Because they had none, she sought help from a local radio station. Vincent was eventually able to leave after assistance arrived the following day.

The family said the experience was especially painful because they were grieving their child while struggling to settle the bill.

Atty. Rizzle May R. Ostia-Alburo said a hospital could face liability if it failed to provide timely medical treatment during an emergency and could not explain the delay.

Leoncio General Hospital sent their written statement. They denied that they detained Vincent or anyone from their family because of the unpaid bills.

Lawyer explains patient rights under the law

Health advocate Dr. Tony Leachon stressed that access to health care should be treated as a right.

"Ang kalusugan ay isang karapatan, it's a basic right and not a privilege. Dapat ipaglaban natin ito," he said.

["Health is a human right. It's a basic right and not a privilege. We should fight for it."]

The World Health Organization's 2024 assessment gave the Philippines a score of 64 for its readiness to respond to public health emergencies, slightly below the regional score of 66.

The three cases raised questions about how hospitals respond to emergencies, protect patient privacy, and handle patients and families who cannot immediately pay medical expenses.

While hospitals need protocols to guide their medical services, questions remain about how these procedures are implemented during emergencies and how patients' rights and dignity are protected. —MGP, GMA News