Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (No Down payment Hospitalization) - Duterte Health Agenda

Here in the Philippines, money is always the primary reason when someone thinks of going to hospital for medical treatment. No way a big deal to moneyed people, but for many average earner Filipinos, it can even cost a fortune to them.

Undeniably, the health care system in the country hasn't been that competitive compared to other countries I have been in, like the United Kingdom. Fortunately, healthcare programs under the Duterte administration has started to take off slowly and hopefully, everyone will have the full access to all health care programs of the government in the future.

It has been a common knowledge among Filipinos that many hospitals in the Philippines need a certain amount as a down payment upon hospital admission, regardless whether these are emergency cases or not. Because of this hospital policy, many would resort to other alternative treatments to their illnesses. Some would even go to the traditional faith healers and just realized later on that their conditions has gotten worse ,and unfortunately, some may die because of infections and complications.

The "No deposit, No admission" policy of many hospitals has been constantly bombarded and ridicule in social media. Many have been left unattended and eventually die due to lack of medical care and the family will put all the blame to the hospital. This is a common scenario you can see in a television news. It's really pathetic to think of.

Personally, I also have my share of bad experience and I know how it feels being denied with medical treatment. In my mind, all I can think of at that time is stupidity and inhumane. How could you bring back the life of a person when it's gone, when the family can secure the money in so many ways to pay the bills later.

I was so delighted upon knowing the news, sooner or later, this type of hospital policy will finally end for good.

In Cebu City, the Cebu Flash Report recently released a copy of the memo from the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (formerly Southern Island Medical Center) entitled " Duterte Health Agenda - Emergency Department Services". The memo will include all medical procedures, laboratory tests, and medicines. All hospital expenses will all be "Charged to Bill".

The memo also mentioned that all patients in the ward section will receive medicines and billed later. This is to insure that all patients will continuously receive their medicines. The most obvious reasons in the delay of giving medicines to the patient are lack of money to buy the medicines and the time it takes to find the medicines outside the hospital.

A big thank to the health initiative of President Duterte. This only means that we have a working leader who listen and understand the need of his people. The Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center has done an amazing job. Thank you for heeding the call of the President. May this health initiative of the administration be followed by the other hospital soon.