Army settles part of wounded soldier’s hospital bills after snafu

ZAMBOANGA City, Philippines—The military has paid part of its hospital bills with the Ciudad Medical Center (CMC) here amid reports that a wounded soldier was having problems with his medications after the institution put his account on hold.

Major Harold Cabunoc, spokesman of the Philippine Army, said the Armed Forces of the Philippines has allocated P2 million for each unit, “for replenishment” of funds meant to pay off hospitalization bills of soldiers wounded during operations.

“This fund is intended solely for our soldiers’ welfare,” Cabunoc said.

He said the incident involving the wounded soldier, Private First Class Mustajal Susulan, was a case of miscommunication between the CMC management and the liaison officer of the 1st Infantry Tabak Division.

“It had nothing to do with reports about unavailability of funds. It had something to do with problems on ‘liaisoning,’” Cabunoc told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Major General Noel Coballes, chief of the 1st Tabak ID, said hospital officials had explained that the Army unit that operated in Zamboanga Sibugay failed to comply with some regular procedures for their wounded soldiers.

“We have enough funds for them. One soldier’s wife just wanted to get hold of the money, but that is not how we do it. We pay directly to the hospital,” Coballes said.

Earlier, Emma Susulan, wife of the wounded soldier, had complained to reporters that the CMC had put her husband’s account on hold because the Army failed to pay the P79,000 downpayment that the hospital had asked.

When one’s account is put on hold, a patient would have to buy medicines outside the hospital. Emma Susulan said she did not have the money to buy the medicines that her husband needed.

CMC administrator Jilhan Natividad said the hospital did not have a problem with the military having unsettled accounts.

“They are one of our best patrons. It’s just with the case of Susulan that we encountered some problems,” Natividad said.

“What we needed was a simple communication. Any official can call us or, if not, they can send somebody with a letter of agreement,” Natividad said.  He explained that the hospital’s computerized system would automatically “freeze” a patient’s account if it reached a certain amount.

Cabunoc said he coordinated with the 1st ID Medical Officer, Maj. Richard Esmeralda, and learned “that the problem was deficient ‘liaisoning’ by the designated Liaison Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO).”

Natividad said that as of Friday, the military has already paid P295,000 of its bills with CMC.

Cabunoc said the remaining unpaid bill could reach at least P100,000.

Susulan and another wounded soldier remain confined at the CMC.