Health dept told to probe hospitals ‘refusing’ patients

President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the Department of Health (DoH) to investigate hospitals that allegedly refused admission to patients amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic in the country.

In a televised public address aired over state-run PTV-4, Duterte said that he received reports that nine hospitals have been denying admission to patients, including those suspected of being infected with Covid-19.

“Nine hospitals refused to accept patients. And therefore, we are calling, not after the Covid crisis but I’ll be asking the DoH to start the investigation. I’m sorry but there are rules to be followed,” Duterte said.

“You are a hospital, you are the sanctuary of the sick, you do not choose the ailment of the patient you are accepting. It’s simply not within your power morally. That’s why find a way on how to deal with the problem because you are a hospital,” he added. Duterte acknowledged that some hospitals had to turn down patients because they were full, but he suggested that they should build a makeshift tent to treat suspected Covid-19 patients.

He added that hospitals that refused to accept patients could face suspension.

The president also made an appeal to crematoriums to maintain the prices of their services they had before the declaration of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine.

“These owners of crematoriums, may I ask you to maintain the price of cremation before… quarantine. This means, the price before we had problems, that’s what you should give,” he said.

Duterte warned crematorium owners who raised the prices of their services that he would order the remains of patients who died due to Covid-19 to be left in there without being claimed.

“Now, if you increase the price of your services…I’ll leave the remains there,” the president said.