BGHMC privatization nixed; NGO workers get death threats

BEHIND THE SCENES

Alfred P. Dizon

BAGUIO CITY –Where will poor patients of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center go if BGHMC is“privatized” or “corporatized”?

           

This is the question of residents here as the government hospital, along with 25 other major public hospitals in the country, is set to be managed by a group who will charge patients for medical services and medicines.

           

To date, poor people have availed of the services of BGHMCdue to its minimal fees. Now, whether the scheme, as proposed bills in the Senate and Lower House, is a boon or a bane, this remains to be seen.

           

Basing from media reports, even health workers are divided on the issue on whether it would help the populace in their health needs.

           

Some health officials said the scheme would not be “privatization” as there would be no private-public partnership in running the hospitals since the government would still have control over these.

           

But oppositionists, like Chestcore (Community Health Education, Services and Training in the Cordillera Region)said the plan should be stopped as it is “anti-people.”

           

Chestcore members said since Congress railroaded the passing of the bill to corporatize 26 hospitals nationwide last May 16, they along with other progressive peoples’ organizations, had been conducting activities to make government stop the scheme.

           

Chestcore has joined a program of the Gabriela Partylist, a BGHMC partner for its Medical Funds at the government hospital to inform the public on the issue. 

           

It also launched petition-signing against the bill, saying it welcomed the city council move to invite BGHMC chief Dr. Manuel Factora for inquiry on the issue. 

           

A Chestcore statement said they will join public discussion to forward their position and push for a City Council resolution to oppose the move. 

           

Recently, Factora said there was need for public-private partnership and corporatization to source out funds for patient needs because “government facilities are not abundant.” 

           

Chestcorehowever said increasing national health budget to 5% of the country’s GDP (gross domestic product) was the answer and not corporatization or privatization.

           

Chestcore will be co-sponsoring with the University of the Philippines-Baguio a forum on the issue on Sept.13 at the Bulwagang Juan Luna Hall.        The speakers will be Rep. Teddy Casino who has staunchly opposed the move in Congress and Dr. Gene Nisperos of the National Network Opposed to Privatization of Public Hospitals. 

           

Meanwhile, RomellaRasalan, Chestcore executive director said other progressive groups in the region are alarmed at renewed harassment of their staff.

           

Last July 11, Chestcore reportedly received in its office cell phone, a text message intimidating the staff.            

Last August 13, Milagros Ao-wat, head of theirmedical services desk program and other staff reportedly received a series of death threat texts.

           

The intimidating text messages reportedly started  December of  2010 went on until July of 2011. Having read the obituary of Ao-wat’s brother who died last July 26, the texterreportedly tauntingly condoled with her and warned her of her continuing commitment as an NGO worker.

           

 “It is very deplorable that those who dedicate their lives to advocating for and advancing people’s welfare as well as fighting for genuine development for our indigenous communities are being continuously harassed,” saidKatribuPartylist regional spokesperson Sam Anongos.

           

Meanwhile, Cordillera Human Rights Alliance secretary-general Jude Baggo said “These are clear cases of intensified intimidation and harassment on Chestcore and a continuing implementation of OplanBayanihan, the government counter-insurgency program which tags militant leaders and groups as members of the New Peoples Army.

           

Chestcorehas reportedly long been subjected to threats, harassments and intimidation. Last 2011, it launched a campaign to stop harassment of community health and development workers and filed nine cases of threat, harassment and intimidation with the Commission on Human Rights –Cordillera Administrative Region  against perpetrators.  Recently, the CHR-CAR declared with finality the nine cases “closed and terminated”.  

           

“We will go to the CHR-CAR again and file these new cases with them and tell them that they were wrong and that they must perform their mandate to protect people’s rights”, Rasalan said.