PHAPi president Rustico Jimenez passes away

PHAPi President Rustico Jimenez.

MANILA, Philippines — Private Hospitals Association of the Phils., Inc. (PHAPi) President Dr. Rustico Jimenez has passed away, his daughter confirmed Thursday.

“Biglaan po talaga, masama po pakiramdam last weekend po. Pero ang kinamatay po niya ay cardiac arrest,” Jimenez’s daughter Nina Erica Jimenez said in an interview over Teleradyo.

PHAPi also confirmed the death of Jimenez whom it described as a “warrior-leader” of private hospitals.

“The Private Hospitals Association of the Phils., Inc. (PHAPi) mourns the loss of its warrior-leader, Dr. Rustico A. Jimenez, an irreplaceable defender and advocate of the rights of private hospitals,” PHAPi said in a statement.

“The Association condoles with his family for the loss of a loving father,” it added.

Jimenez, a neurologist, was president of the organization since 2007.

He graduated from the University of Santo Tomas in 1972 and was among the founders of the Medical Center Parañaque where he served as medical director and president.

In May, Jimenez had alleged that state insurer Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) delayed payment to 300 private hospitals, leading them to a brink of closure.

Jimenez also previously asked President Rodrigo Duterte to replace Health Secretary Francisco Duque III as the lead official of the country’s national health policy.

EDV