DOH says hospitals must treat patients even without deposit

The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday reminded hospitals that they are mandated to provide emergency treatment services to patients without demanding a downpayment.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said all private and public hospitals should not deny emergency treatment services to patients under the Anti-Hospital Deposit Law.

“Ang mga pampublikong ospital ay hindi dapat humihingi ng deposito,” she said at a virtual press briefing.

“Samantala, ang pribadong ospital ay dapat munang bigyan ng emergency treatment ang isang pasyente bago ito i-refer sa pampublikong ospital kung kinakailangan,” Vergeire added.

The DOH urged the public to report any violations of the Anti-Hospital Deposit Law to their hotline 02-894-COVID or 1555.

A woman who had just given birth died on Friday due to complications after she was refused by six hospitals. 

The Department of Justice has since vowed to investigate the incident. 

An asthmatic senior citizen earlier died after being turned away by six hospitals. 

Days later, another woman died after she was rejected by nine hospitals. —LDF, GMA News