By LITO RULONA Correspondent THE city council would summon owners and administrators of hospitals in the city so they could shed light on the practice of asking patients and their families cash deposits which was highlighted following the death of former mayor Pablo Magtajas. This came after Councilor Ma. Lourdes Gaane delivered a privilege report on the circumstances surrounding the death of the 77-year old Magtajas. Magtajas had waited for hours to be given intensive care unit treatment due to a shortage in ICU rooms. After being transferred to another hospital, he was brought to an ICU room only after her daughter, Councilor Suzette Daba, paid a P50-thousand deposit. Gaane, the chairperson of the city council’s committee on health, sanitation and public health insurance, told the city council she was saddened with the demise of the former mayor but “we are more saddened with the circumstances” and reports about the state of medical services in the city. Gaane, a physician by profession, expressed concern about the reported shortage in ICU facilities in the city and the continued practice of hospitals to require downpayments from patients or their families. She said a law prohibits hospitals from demanding deposits for the confinement or treatment of patients and refusal to administer appropriate initial medical treatment and support in emergency cases. Gaane said the National Health Insurance Act clearly defines the responsibilities of hospitals. She said there were clear violations of protocols in attending to the former mayor “that must be reviewed.” Councilor Nadya Elipe also said she was disturbed over information that some patients were held in hospitals because their families failed to pay up.