News
Treat Members with Care----PhilHealth - April 24, 2008
MEMBERS of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) should be treated with utmost care at all times and should not be abused, especially while undergoing medical procedures.
Referring to the recent issue surrounding the Internet uploading of a patient's video while undergoing a delicate operation in Cebu City , PhilHealth Acting President and CEO Lorna O. Fajardo today said that PhilHealth is extremely concerned about the possibility of medical practitioners violating the patient's right to privacy and confidentiality. "Patients' rights must at all times be respected," Fajardo said. "We strongly condemn such acts and we shall await the Ombudsman's decision on the matter."
She added that should the medical doctors involved be found guilty of inappropriate behavior, PhilHealth may suspend the payment of their professional fees, or worse, revoke their accreditation with the government agency.
"We call on our partner-providers to exercise extreme caution and observe their Code of Ethics as medical professionals so as not to compromise the welfare of our members," Fajardo stressed. "We believe that doctors and medical personnel, for that matter, must respect patients' confidentiality. They must be worth our members' trust especially since a patient's relationship with his doctor is a very personal matter."
The PhilHealth Chief also noted that if indeed, there is prima facie evidence of abuse, the hospital should similarly be held responsible for such unethical practice. (END)