Nueva Ecija hospitals that rejected patient probed

NUEVA ECIJA — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has until April 24 to submit a preliminary report on its probe of hospitals in Nueva Ecija that turned away an elderly patient who eventually died.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said hospital officials and personnel face charges for violation of Republic Act 8344 or an Act Penalizing the Refusal of Hospitals to Administer Initial Medical Treatment in Emergency Cases and RA 10932 or the Anti-Hospital Deposit Law.

Ladislao Cabling, 65, a resident of Cabanatuan, who had asthma, reportedly experienced difficulty in breathing.

Six hospitals rejected Cabling, saying there was no vacant room at their intensive care unit, his daughter Girlie Cagaoan said in a television interview.

In one of the hospitals, Cagaoan said a nurse told them her father had symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 without conducting a test.

She lamented that no one in the hospitals administered even first aid treatment to her father.

On Monday, President Duterte said he received reports about the incident.

He warned officials of government hospitals that those who would reject patients face dismissal or suspension.

Duterte ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) to prosecute those who would deprive patients of immediate medical attention.

Guevarra gave assurance that the DOJ would act on similar complaints.