DoH issues IRR for Anti-Hospital Deposit Law

THE IMPLEMENTING rules and regulations (IRR) for Republic Act No. 10932, or the Anti-Hospital Deposit Law, has been released on April 4 and published yesterday by the Department of Health (DoH). RA 10932, which was signed into law in August 2017, increases the penalties for the refusal of hospitals and clinics to administer appropriate medical treatment in emergency or serious cases. The law provides that “in emergency or serious cases, it shall be unlawful for any hospital or medical clinic to request, solicit, demand or accept any deposit or any other form of advance payment as prerequisite for administering basic emergency care, for confinement or medical treatment, or to refuse to administer medical treatment and support to any patient.” Violators face a punishment of imprisonment of not less than six months and one day, or a fine of not less than P100,000.00, or both. High-ranking officials of medical institutions could be slapped with higher penalties of imprisonment of four to six years, or a fine of not less than P500,000.00, or both. Complaints related to the law should be initially filed before the Health Facilities Oversight Board under the DoH’s Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau.

De Lima accuses Duterte supporters of spreading fake news about her family

DETAINED SENATOR Leila M. de Lima said on Sunday, April 8, her family members, including her son and sister, were victims of fake news that were made viral on social media by the supporters of President Rodrigo R. Duterte. “My sister was reported to have been arrested in Beijing for drug trafficking. Her friends called her about that. When that fake news came out, my sister happened to be at the hospital, watching over my sick mother,” Ms. de Lima said in a statement. She added: “Another fake news targeted my youngest son, Vincent, who was reported to have been arrested at an airport in Berlin, for possession of drugs. My son has never set foot in another country.” — Arjay L. Balinbin