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Friday, November 25, 2005
Row might affect hospital finances: official
By Jane Cadalig
UNRESOLVED policies regarding the private practice of medical professionals at the Benguet General Hospital (BeGH) might prejudice the realization of the institution's projected P40 million income next year, hospital administrator Esteban Piok said Thursday.
Piok is apprehensive BeGH might not be able to achieve its estimated revenue for as long as the issue on medical professionals who engage in private practice remains unresolved.
He said medical and paramedical personnel should be allowed to engage in private practice to encourage them to stay at the hospital. He said while it is true that the professional fees of doctors are not considered income of the hospital, the rates billed to private patients in private rooms already contribute to the hospital's revenue.
"Doctors only ask for their professional fees, but the other hospital fees collected from the private clients go to our income. If the issue on private practice is not resolved, doctors will be driven away, and this will affect the revenues generated by the hospital. We are apprehensive that if this happens, we would not be able to realize our projected income," Piok said.
Benguet Board Member Liso Agpas said private practice in the hospital should be regulated and medical and paramedical practitioners should follow the existing order issued by the Department of Health (DOH) relative to the practice.
The Provincial Board (PB) is deliberating on a proposed ordinance to allow private practice at BeGH, subject however to the strict compliance with the DOH guidelines. Under the DOH policy, government doctors may engage in private practice only before and after their designated working hours.
(November 25, 2005 issue)
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