MISAMIS Oriental Sangguniang Panlalawigan began a probe yesterday, July 22, into the alleged poor operations and lack of medicine supplies at the province's eight provincial hospitals.
The committee hearing, led by Board Member Rommel Maslog, head of the committee on health, included hospital chiefs from eight municipalities and Provincial Treasurer Ronald Jame Violon.
During the hearing, Violon stated that the P120 million annual fund for medicines and operations comes from PhilHealth, but he emphasized it is insufficient.
“It cannot sustain (the Philhealth),” Violon said.
He added that the Provincial Treasurer’s Office prioritizes medicines but faces payment issues, which cause delays in deliveries to hospitals.
However, Provincial Board Member Jabi Bernaldez found it “too impossible” that P120 million would be insufficient for medicines. He suggested changing the procurement system.
“Kung ma plastar lang, nganong wala may kwarta, ang sistema lang ang depiktoso, ang procurement,” Bernaldez said.
Hospital chiefs reported that fast-moving medicines, such as paracetamol, antibiotics and fluids, are easily exhausted.
Meanwhile, Board Member Princess Emano also raised concerns about cleanliness, specifically in the Balingasag hospital.
Dr. Graceil Jan Go, chief of the Misamis Oriental Provincial Hospital in Balingasag, addressed the issue, explaining that even basic supplies like soap, mops and brooms can take three to six months to be delivered. He sometimes buys these items himself.
“Even sabon, ga amot amot pa mi, even the mops (pero) dili namo makaya tanan,” Go said.
Go credited the inquiry meeting initiated by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for providing an avenue to voice their concerns.
