Press Release on Tarlac Provincial Hospital

11 September 2015

REFERENCE: Dr. Mariano Lopez 0917-8207635

Physicians group seeks PhilHealth, DOH intervention

in conflict over doctors' fees in Tarlac Prov'l Hospital

The Philippine College of Physicians calls on the leadership of PhilHealth and Department of Health (DOH) to take the lead in resolving the conflict between the administration of the Tarlac Provincial Hospital (TPH) and the medical consultants and residents, and hospital employees on the sharing of professional fees from PhilHealth.

"We appeal to Hon. Secretary Garin and Atty. Alexander Padilla to resolve the protest of medical staff and other employees in TPH against Tarlac Governor Victor Yap and the Hospital's OIC Dr Leonardo Mangahas, Jr. and OIC-Cashier Mr. Julio Pacelo. A prolonged protest may threaten the delivery of services to patients as well as the training of doctors in the hospital," said Dr. Mariano Lopez, PCP President.

The medical residents and employees opposed the decision of Yap and implemented by Mangahas and Pacelo to change the sharing scheme that healthcare workers receive from the PhilHealth professional fees. 

"The PCP is not taking sides on the merits of the case filed against Mangahas, however, we feel that the medical personnel in TPH are being unjustly treated in this case and in the end, it is our patients in TPH who will suffer. We can only appeal to the good nature and compassion of Governor Yap and TPH OIC Dr Mangahas to reconsider their decision regarding this payment scheme," Lopez said.

The PCP offered to facilitate the communication between the protesting doctors and hospital employees on one side, and the PhilHealth and DOH on the other.

The group expressed alarm on the possible effect of the exodus of consultants of internal medicine on the training of doctors in the hospital.

PCP is the lead organization in the residency training program of internal medicine and approves the accreditation of hospitals conducting this training based on the required number of consultants in the Department of Medicine of the hospital, services rendered in the hospital, patient exposure, and others.

“The PCP, on its part, is deeply concerned about the future of the training program in internal medicine in TPH since the minimum requirement for accreditation is the appointment of a set number of fellows and residents which we believe, at this time, is less than ideal. We are afraid that the TPH might lose its accreditation if these requirements are compromised. Our thrust in promoting the residency training of future internists in a great number of hospitals in most regions has been integral to our mission and vision and serves as a source of hope for our undeserved countrymen,” Lopez explained.

In a letter sent by PCP to Secretary Garin, the group asked for the DOH’s guidance on this matter. The PCP leadership said they are willing to open other channels of communication with all parties concerned to avoid a lengthy standoff, which is turn, can have a negative impact on the delivery of secondary and tertiary health care in the area. (END)