Council opposes BGH privatization; mayor asks public to consider benefits

BAGUIO CITY – The city council last Monday joined the call to oppose the proposed privatization of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) as per House Bill 6069 by Rep. Anthony Rolando Golez and Senate Bill 3130 by Sen. Franklin Drilon.

The body approved a resolution after hearing the position of BGHMC medical director Dr. Manuel Factora during a legislative inquiry where the statement of opposition of the Community Health Education, Services and Training in the Cordillera Region (Chestcore) was also considered.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan however cautioned the public to also consider the advantages of the proposed set-up in line with the intent of the government’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program.

“I am sure there are also advantages that will go with the privatization because it is a program meant to improve the system through partnership and not to sacrifice the interest of our city and the marginalized sector.  I am sure there is a portion in the proposal that will safeguard the interest of our indigent constituents,” the mayor said.

The mayor said the privatization plan is intended to make the hospital cost equitable in such a way that patients who can afford the services will pay the appropriate expenses while services for the indigent will continue to be subsidized.

The city council called for the inquiry in line with the proposed resolution of Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda to determine the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed corporization of BGH and 25 other hospitals nationwide.

Factora said the privatization plan will be beneficial in terms of improved quality of services, upgraded equipment and facilities as a result of improved financial resources.

As to the feared increase in the cost of hospital services, Factora said this will still be subject to the decision of the management of the hospital.

Chestcore along with other non-government groups, have drummed up opposition to the plan saying it will trigger the skyrocketing of hospital service cost beyond the reach of the ordinary people.

“The corporatization of public hospitals will deprive people of much-needed health services and worsen the already ill state of health of the country. It is a privatization scheme that will allow entry into and control of health services by the private sector for super profits,” the statement read.

Chestcore said this has been proven by past experiences with the privatization of other public hospitals such as the Philippine Heart Center, the Lung Center of the Philippines, the National Kidney and Transplant Institute and the Philippine Children’s Medical where health services are now beyond access by the poor.

The proposed bills seek the conversion of Department of Health (DOH)-supervised public health care facilities such as the BGHMC into government-owned-and-controlled corporations (GOCCs).

Aside from BGHMC, the other 25 hospitals eyed for corporization are Cagayan Valley Medical Center, Veterans

Regional Hospital, Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center, Region I Medical Center, Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center, Jose B. Lingad Memorial Medical Center, Batangas Regional Hospital, Bicol Medical Center (Naga City), Bicol Research Training and Teaching Hospital (Legaspi City), Quirino Memorial Medical Center, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, Rizal Medical Center, Amang Rodriguez Medical Center, San Lazaro Hospital, Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center, Corazon LocsinMontelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, Western Visayas Medical Center, Northern Mindanao Medical Center, Southern Philippines Medical Center, Zamboanga City Medical Center, Cotabato Regional and Medical Center, CARAGA Regional Hospital, Davao Regional Hospital, and Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro, Sr. Regional Training and Teaching Hospital. – A Refuerzo