Lim orders probe on syndicate preying on gov’t hospitals

MANILA, Philippines—Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim on Friday ordered a probe of a syndicate preying on at least six local government hospitals by having its members pose as patients and availing themselves of free medicines which they sell later.

Lim said that the syndicate’s activities were depriving the rightful beneficiaries of medicine and services.

Lim’s chief of staff and media bureau chief Ric De Guzman, who was tapped to lead the investigation, assured that his personnel will monitor all patients in the six local government-run hospitals to identify the members of the syndicate.

De Guzman also said that the mayor has tasked them to find out and prosecute the people behind the group as Lim stressed that medicines and services provided at the six hospitals are free of charge.

The order stemmed from a revelation by Ospital ng Maynila director Janet Tan that a syndicate was going around the six district hospitals seeking free medicine they would later sell.

Tan said the members of the group who pose as patients usually change their identities when they go to another hospital so they could avail of free medicines there.