Retrenchment at UST hospital put off pending further discussion

The retrenchment of UST Hospital employees had been put on hold pending discussion by the university's Board of Trustees, the University of Santo Tomas said in a statement on Monday.

The hospital's memorandum with subject "Termination of Employment" has been "held in abeyance" because it will still be reviewed during a meeting on May 20, according to BOT chairman Reverend father Napoleon Sipalay Jr. OP.

"In the midst of COVID-19, the University of Santo Tomas is one with the nation in its hope and prayer that we shall overcome this global pandemic," said Associate Professor Giovanna Fontanilla, the director of the UST Office of Public Affairs.

Earlier, the UST Hospital said that it had reduced its manpower so that it could minimize its expenses and financial losses amid the health crisis.

UST Hospital medical director Dr. Marcellus Ramirez said the overall hospital census went “significantly down” since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic because most of those admitted in the hospital were COVID-19 patients.

Ramirez said the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) had owed UST Hospital more than P180 million in expenses for patients in 2019.

Ramirez said the retrenchment plan was reviewed in detail by the legal counsel, adding that it was a “recognized valid and legal management measure and it remains as such even during the COVID-19 crisis.” -NB, GMA News