Manila city hospitals urged to charge minimal fees

MANILA, Philippines—The Manila city government should consider the possibility of collecting a minimal fee from patients at its hospitals who do not reside in the city or have the means to pay, so that it could generate funds for the maintenance of the medical facilities.

This is a recommendation from the Commission on Audit, which said that the hospitals are beset by inadequate financial resources and the absence of standards and policies governing their operations. It said this puts in peril the hospitals’ ability to continuously and speedily deliver basic health services to Manila’s residents.

The COA also recommended that the Manila government look into the possibility of getting financial assistance or donations from the government, private entities, non-governmental organizations and lawmakers to support its hospitals.

At the same time, the COA said, the city government should ensure proper sanitation and hygiene in its hospitals, which is essential to their operation, and study alternative means of securing the services of a licensed and experienced janitorial services provider.

The six Manila City hospitals are the Justice Jose Abad Santos Mother and Child Hospital, Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center, Ospital ng Tondo, Ospital ng Maynila, Sta. Ana Hospital and Ospital ng Sampaloc.

The COA said that its inspection of the Justice Jose Abad Santos hospital, Gat Andres Bonifacio Hospital and Ospital ng Tondo showed that these facilities were a big help to residents of Manila and nearby cities. This could be seen by the sheer number of patients there, it noted.

For 2010, Manila released a total of P1.557 billion for the operational requirements of the six hospitals.

The COA learned that the hospitals were providing medical treatment and medicines free of charge, with the same services given to patients who do not live in Manila.

The hospitals depend wholly on the subsidy given by the city government for its operation and maintenance expenses, and have no other sources of income, it said.

It also said that the number of maintenance personnel who are tasked with cleaning the floors and collecting garbage is not enough. Only one or two are assigned to each floor, which is why the hospitals’ sanitation and hygiene could not be assured, it added.

“In view of the above conditions and due to the inadequate financial resources, the City may not be able to sustain the financial requirements in providing continuous and speedy delivery of basic health services to the public through its hospitals,” the COA said.

It thus recommended that the city government consider collecting a minimal service charge from patients who are gainfully employed or are non-residents of Manila.

“The income to be generated may be appropriated for the maintenance of the hospital facilities, thereby ensuring the continuous and up-to-date delivery of medical services,” it said.

It also said the Manila government should look into the possibility of getting financial aid from other entities.

The Manila City government, for its part, said that it has taken note of the COA’s findings and would take appropriate action.