Health group launches project vs. ‘torture’ in PHL healthcare setting

^{Former Health Secretary Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan (3rd from left) at MAG project launch.} 

To prevent all forms of "torture" of patients at Philippine hospitals and healthcare institutions, a health group launched early this week a three-year program against any cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment of poor patients.

Denial of proper health services, especially to indigent and poor patients, is a form of torture, the Medical Action Group (MAG) said at the launching of  its program dubbed "Heal not Harm: Preventing Torture in the Philippine Healthcare Setting."

Former Health Secretary Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan, co-chairman of MAG's board of trustees, said that the program builds on the results of the many engagements and partnerships between the national government and the MAG and the Department of Health in recent years.

Also, Tan said that depriving people of proper health care for whatever reason is tantamount to torture and violates national law and the country’s international obligations on human rights.

Due of lack of money to pay for their medical bills, poor patients are kept by some hospitals, thereby prolonging their psychological agony. Human rights advocates consider such condition as virtual detention. 

Citing the the 1987 Constitution, the former Health Secretary said that "the government shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health  and development ...health and other social services should be available, accessible, and affordable to all.

“Health services are always available but not always accessible. Denied health services also is a form of torture," he added. 

The three-year project (November 2016 to October 2019) is supported by the DKA Austria, Hillfwerk der Katolischen Jaungschar-Catholic Children's Movement of Austria. 

It is also MAG's support for the Department of Health's Guidelines for the Implementation of Section 19 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 9475, or the Anti-Torture Law. —LBG, GMA News