MANILA, Philippines- Maaari nang saklawin ng medical assistance mula sa Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) ang bahagi ng professional fees ng mga doktor bukod pa sa kasalukuyan nitong coverage para sa indigent patients, ayon kay PCSO general manager Mel Robles.
Sinabi ni Robles na ang assistance coverage ng PCSO para sa professional fees ay hindi para sa kabuuang halaga dahil limitado lamang ang resources nito.
“Iyong wala ng bayaran ang ating mamamayan, that is the dream, that is the goal. In our case, it will depend upon budget availability,” pahayag ni Robles sa isang news conference sa Kamara.
“Oftentimes, those who need help go to us, and they only need to settle the PF. In that case, wala kaming babayaran kasi bawal nga sa aming guidelines,” dagdag niya.
“Now, we have changed the guidelines na pwede na ipambayad.”
“It might not be enough, but at least meron na po. It would depend on the cost of the PF, but we can pay some. It’s not zero anymore,” patuloy niya.
“We can pay the PF now. That really addresses the situation wherein the patient is stuck at the hospital, you accumulate a larger amount of bill, just because you are yet to settle the professional fee dues,” ani Robles.
“If there is a partial payment of professional fees, the hope is, puede na mag promissory note [for PF in the event there are still unpaid dues],” giit pa niya.
Sinabi ng opisyal na ang guarantee letter ng PCSO na magbabayad ng professional fees ng mga doktor ay ipalalabas sa parehong araw, sa kondisyong makapagsumite ang pasyente o pamilya ng pasyenteng nangangailangan ng lahat ng rekisitos para sa tulong.
“We have 45 days [to pay out our dues], but in practice, we do it within 30 days,” ani Robles.
Nauna nang ipinanawagan ni House Committee on Appropriations chairman at Ako-Bicol party-list lawmaker Zaldy Co ang agarang pagbabayad ng professional fees ng mga doktor mula sa budget ng pamahalaan para sa indigent aid program nito.
“We cannot have a system that is delayed in paying doctors. We need to ensure that our doctors are paid on time,” giit ni Co.
“If the doctors are paid immediately, more medical professionals would be willing to help under MAIPP. Payment delays should not be obstacles in serving our countrymen,” dagdag ng mambabatas. RNT/SA
