Militant health workers stage rally at House
Health Secretary Enrique Ona. AFP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Some 30 members of a militant health group on Wednesday held a protest rally in front of the plenary of the House of Representatives to call for the resignation of Health Secretary Enrique Ona.
The protesters from Alliance of Health Workers shouted “Ona, resign!” and “Health is a right” as security personnel dragged them from the lobby and brought outside the plenary.
A slight scuffle ensued as security personnel pushed the protesters through the door.
The lower chamber is hearing the budget of the Department of Health when the activists staged their protest.
In a statement, the group said the proposed budget calls for privatization of state hospitals.
The groups also said only P19.4 billion or 22 percent of the total DOH budget will go to 72 public hospitals.
“The DOH is unwavering in privatizing the Philippine Orthopedic Center, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, Baguio General Hospital, and the rest of the 72 DOH hospitals through public-private partnerships and other ‘modernization schemes,” their statement read.
“This will further marginalize the majority of the people for affordable to free health services. Where will people go for treatment?” it added.
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