Nueva Ecija hospital denies refusing elderly patient

CABANATUAN CITY –– An official of a leading Nueva Ecija hospital here flatly denied reports that they refused to admit an elderly patient, who died untreated in his home on April 10.

Security camera footage reveals that 65-year-old Ladislao Corrales Cabling was not brought to the emergency room of the Premiere Medical Center, where doctors would have treated him, said lawyer Danilo Yang, Premiere board chairman.

Premiere was reportedly one of the six hospitals that turned away Cabling who died, two hours after hopping from one facility to another. He was rushed to the hospital when his breathing became difficult shortly before midnight on April 9.

Yang maintained that his hospital would not refuse any patient.

He said the footage shows a woman approaching a hospital receptionist. The woman allegedly asked if there was a vacancy at Premiere’s intensive care unit (ICU) and left immediately upon learning it was full.

“Sa ER nila dapat ibaba dun pagkatapos hayaan nila yung mga duktor ang mag-asikaso (They should have driven Cabling to the emergency room and allow doctors to examine him),” Yang explained.

“I will never allow that. I will never allow that na magtanggi ng pasyente dahil unang-una ay may proteksiyon din kami sa pangalan namin (deny a patient because we want to protect our reputation),” he said, adding: “Hindi lang naman yung ospital, yung Premiere ang nakasalalay diyan kundi ang Yang family (It’s not just the credibility of the hospital which is at stake, but the Yang family).”

Yang said he believed none of the other hospitals refused to give Cabling help. “Basta may dinala ka sa ER obligado naming bigyan ng atensiyon. Nasa batas yan, maliwanag sa batas yan (Once a patient is sent to the emergency room, doctors are obliged to treat him. That’s clearly outlined by the law),” said Yang, a former provincial prosecutor.

The Premiere will submit its position regarding the incident, after allegations made by Cabling’s family. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra gave the National Bureau of Investigation until April 24 to complete an investigation report on the family’s accusation.

If proven true, the hospital personnel who drove Cabling away will be charged for violating Republic Act No. 8344, which penalizes hospitals for refusing to administer initial medical treatment during emergency cases, and Republic Act No. 10932, which increases penalties for hospitals that deny anyone aid.

Cabling was buried on April 14.

LZB