Stop use of medical care as political tool, DOH urged

TACLOBAN CITY—The use of medical aid as a political tool was targeted by a politician from the province of Samar, among the country’s poorest, who urged the Department of Health (DOH) to provide medical services to people regardless of their political affiliations.

Samar Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento filed a resolution urging the DOH to prohibit “political discrimination” in admitting people into hospitals and government health facilities and delivering health services.

Sarmiento’s House Resolution No. 457 said it “pains” him to hear stories about people, mostly the poor, being denied medical services because of their political affiliations.

In a statement, he said he filed the resolution to stop the use of medical services as a political tool and make sure those in need were given medical help regardless of “political beliefs and inclinations.”

The practice, he said, had been common in public hospitals and health centers.

He said providing medical services to his constituents, among the poorest in the country, was among his priorities.

“The health of all Filipinos should be above party politics,” said Sarmiento.

“It is the fundamental right of every Filipino to have access to health care without the prejudices of politics. Our people’s health is a right, not a privilege,”Sarmiento said in his press release.

Edited by TSB