MANILA, Philippines — The Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PHAPi) has asked President Rodrigo Duterte to replace Health Secretary Francisco Duque III as the country’s health chief and lead official that crafts the national health policy.
In a letter to Duterte dated Monday, May 25, PHAPi president Rustico Jimenez said their members “feel that they have enough” of the promises of Duque as head of the Department of Health (DOH) and its attached agency, the Philippine Health Insurance Health Corp (Philhealth), of which Duque as Health secretary sits concurrently as chairman.
Jimenez, in a text message to INQUIRER.net, said the letter was already received by Malacañang.
“Just to cite among the most important one, our members are given the runaround by PhilHealth when asked about the Interim Reimbursement Mechanism (IRM),” Jimenez said in the letter.
“Although some have already received their share, most however are now so financially drained as they are still waiting for the promised IRM,” he added.
PhilHealth is set to release funds to accredited hospitals to help them respond to the onslaught of COVID-19 in the country
The amount is equivalent to the hospitals’ three month worth of claims based on historical data, which will be charged to their future claims.
“For this reason, PHAPi, an association of 744 member private hospitals, now respectfully requests for the replacement of Dr. Francisco T. Duque III as DOH Secretary and Chairman of PhilHealth and appoint someone who can deliver goods better in addressing the health concerns of the country,” Jimenez said.
While PHAPi has high regard to Duque as one of their esteemed colleagues in the healthcare industry, Jimenez said that the Health chief “seems to be already so exhausted that there is need for fresh blood and a fresh mind” to lead the DOH and PhilHealth amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Duque is currently under hot water for announcing that the Philippines was already experiencing its second wave of coronavirus infections.
Malacañang, however, said that Duque continues to enjoy the trust and confidence of the President.