Thursday, July 10, 2008 Vice guv hits reshuffling of hospital chiefs
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- “If there are guidelines and if the chiefs are given a free hand, they could easily effect change in their hospitals. But how could they be evaluated if they cannot do anything?”
Vice Governor Joseller Guiao issued the statement in reaction to the three-month period reshuffling of the chiefs of public hospitals in the province being implemented by Governor Eddie Panlilio.
He said such a move is “counter-productive” and in violation of civil service rules.
During the recent Provincial Board’s (PB) committee hearing on the issue attended by Civil Service Commission (CSC) Regional Director Karin Cerna, Guiao said the three-month long reshuffle would not have “substantial” results since hospital heads are not given a free hand on respective hospitals.
He also criticized Panlilio for “blind-siding” the PB on the reshuffling of hospital chiefs.
Panlilio issued an executive order reshuffling the hospital chiefs, saying that the move “would bring valuable information and expertise” on their respective jurisdictions.
He said the reshuffling would also pave the way for the evaluation of work conditions of hospitals and among hospital employees. He tasked Pampanga Medical Specialist, a non-government organization (NGO), and some civil society groups to conduct the evaluation.
Some doctors however expressed apprehension over the “expertise” and “credibility” of the body tasked to evaluate the hospitals.
“We believe this is temporary and we want to return to our former assignments after three months,” one of the doctors said.
Asked about the CSC’s stand on the reshuffling of the chiefs of public hospitals in Pampanga, Cerna said it could be done under certain conditions mandated by the Magna Carta for Public Health Workers.
“The reshuffling could be done if it warrants interest of public services and if the respondents are informed in writing,” Cerna said, adding that the chiefs of hospitals could actually question the reshuffle.
She added that the respondents should address the complaint to the CSC, which will then decide on the matter.
Panlilio, on the other hand, said the reshuffling is only temporary. He said he is more concerned about the evaluation of the hospitals, adding that the evaluating body is more than credible to do the job.
“These are medical practitioners and they more than qualified to do the evaluation,” he said. (IOF)
