Plan to privatize 26 state hospitals opposed

MANILA -- A group of health workers has opposed a government plan to privatize 26 state-run hospitals.

The group Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) said that there is a need to oppose the plan since it could strip the public, particularly the poor sector, of their access to health institutions.

"Privatization of public health facilities and services is among the biggest threat to the majority Filipinos, who cannot afford the fees at private hospitals," said AHW's Emma Manuel in a statement.

Last February, Senator Frank Drilon filed a bill seeking to convert 26 national government-run hospitals into government -owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) so as to allow them to generate revenues that will be used to subsidize medical care for the poor.

The health workers said they will hold a series of protest actions nationwide against privatization of state hospital.

On Tuesday, health workers from Tondo Medical Center, San Lazaro Hospital, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, and Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital held a protest rally at the DOH main office in Manila.

Manuel described the said plan of the government as being tantamount to the abandonment of the government's mandate to protect public health.

"This is clearly an abandonment of the PNoy (Aquino) administration of its responsibility to people’s health," said Manuel.

The AHW noted how the radiologic services of the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center are already controlled by Himex while HiPrecision operates the laboratory of the Tondo Medical Center. (HDT/Sunnex)