6 hospitals asked to explain for allegedly refusing patients amid COVID-19 situation, says Duque

Six hospitals that allegedly turned away patients needing medical treatment amid the COVID-19 health crisis have been sent show cause orders, according to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Wednesday.

"Ang DOH po ay kaagaran naman pong pinaimbestigahan itong mga ospital at nagpadala po ng show cause order para ipaliwanag ng anim na ospital," Duque said during the Senate hearing on COVID-19 updates.

"Tatatlo lang po ang ospital na nakapagpadala ng kanilang letters of explanation. Hindi po tayo titigil hanggang sa 'yung tatlo pang ospital ay mapasagot natin," he added.

The department's health facilities oversight board will convene on Thursday to deliberate the criminal and administrative sanctions that can be meted out against erring hospitals who refuse treating patients, according to Duque.

"Talagang mali at masama ang ginawa ng mga ospital, mandato po nila 'yan sa ilalim ng batas at ang mga doktor din kung sila man ang nangangasiwa ng mga ospital, dapat ito ay kanilang  tinutugunan at inaalagaan," he added.

The Cabinet official gave this update after Senate health committee chairperson Christopher "Bong" Go followed up on the actions of DOH against such reports.

Back in April, a 65-year-old man suffering from difficulty in breathing in Nueva Ecija helplessly died at home after being refused by different hospitals.

President Rodrigo Duterte previously warned against neglecting patients needing other medical attention amid the COVID-19 health emergency.

"Paano ‘yung mga Pilipino na ganoon? Kaya lahat na magkasakit, heart attack, appendicitis, pumutok ang kung anong puputok diyan, pumutok ‘yung utak, especially government hospital, my order is: must accept admission. You fail on that, I will relieve all of you sa hospital and you can consider yourself suspended because the written order will follow," he said.—AOL, GMA News