NCMH chief slams 'fake news,' says hospital accepting donations

The chief of the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) denied reports circulating through social media that they are not accepting donations while the country is working to end the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

NCMH chief Dr. Roland Cortez said the Mandaluyong-based hospital continues to accept “any kind of donations” including personal protection equipment.

“This Official Statement from Management is being issued as there are people within NCMH circulating FAKE NEWS, unverified information through Facebook to put DOH-NCMH in a bad light to the public,” he said.

“Who would ever DENY donations when it helps the HOSPITAL A LOT in the fight against COVID19?”

Cortez assured the public, in an interview on ANC, that their hospital's PPEs can "still last for about 10 to 12 days," and that donations keep coming in and that their PPEs "are increasing in number."

Transparency

Cortez, in the NCMH statement, also assured the public that the NCMH is transparent about the donation it receives, adding that a list of donations can be found on their official website, Facebook account, and in the hospital’s book of accounts for auditing purposes.

“All Donors are listed… as a PROOF that NCMH has been accepting donations before and at the present times,” he said. “We thank all of you for including NCMH as one of the institutions you are supporting.”

Former NCMH chief administrative officer Clarita Avila was recently transferred to another facility after she received an order from Cortez to stop issuing statements to the media about the COVID-19 situation in the hospital. 

Cortez cited a DOH memorandum that prohibits healthcare facilities from releasing information on COVID-19 cases prior to the official announcement of the department and local government units “to ensure harmonized reporting, prevent circulation of unverified information.”

“The Department of Health (DOH) was surprised that you [Avila] are going around various media outlets and speaking about COVID-19 issues when you are NOT the spokesperson of the hospital or authorized to do so,” Cortez said in his order.

The Department of Health has since denied that Avila was moved out of the NCMH because of her alleged “exposés” on the hospital’s struggles related to COVID-19.

The department confirmed on Tuesday that there are 75 COVID-19 cases in the facility.  -- BAP, GMA News