News
Patients' Rights Forum Held - April 21, 2008
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) recently organized a Forum on Patients' Rights and Responsibilities at the Splash Mountain Resort in Los Banos, Laguna. The forum was aimed at renewing public interest in patient empowerment. Photo shows a non-paying member of PhilHealth raising a concern about the need for doctors to be on time for consultations to help reduce patients' stress.
Gregorio C. Rulloda, PhilHealth First Vice President for Southern Luzon and Visayas welcomed the participants to the forum which he said, "augurs well with our full-blast campaign to increase member awareness of their rights and responsibilities."
Dr. Rey Melchor Santos, current Vice President of the Philippine Medical Association, immediate past President of the Philippine College of Surgeons and an active member of different committees of PhilHealth, discussed the individual, social rights and obligations of patients. He suggested that in order to increase the awareness on patients' rights, there should be tri-media based educational programs, community-based fora, school-based education modules, and inclusion of the patients' rights in medical school curriculum and license examinations for prospective physicians.
The forum was attended by sponsored, non-paying and employed sector members, representatives of organized groups, and human resource personnel, mostly coming from Region IV-A.
The forum was hosted by Dr. Francisco Z. Soria, Jr., Manager of PhilHealth's Standards and Monitoring Department.
A participant asks for clarification on the contribution requirements for availment of benefits.
Atty. Leo O. Olarte, representing the Philippine Hospital Association (PHA), said that in the exercise of one's rights, a person must act with justice, give everyone their dues, and observe honesty and good faith.
Carlo Brion, Director for Administration/ President & Chairman of the Board of San Pablo Doctors Hospital, currently a director of the Private Hospital Association of the Philippines and director/fellow of the Philippine College of Hospital Administrators, presented the perspective of hospitals on patients' rights. He said that the issue on consumers of health, insurers, as well as providers of care must be supported by all concerned parties.
Participants listen to the different presentations on patients' rights and responsibilities from the perspective of PhilHealth, the Academe, legal, the Philippine Medical Association (PMA), hospitals, and the Patient Advocacy Group.
Dr. Shirley B. Domingo, Vice President for Quality Assurance Group, answers questions after her presentation on PhilHealth's perspective on Patients' Rights and Responsibilities while Professor Nina Castillo Carandang of the College of Medicine, University of the Philippines (U.P.) Manila looks on.
Ernesto V. Beltran, Senior Vice President of Operations Sector, addresses the participants during the Closing ceremony.
Beltran and Gregorio C. Rulloda (right), First Vice President for Southern Luzon and Visayas, hand over the certificate to Brion during the closing ceremonies. (Photos by Nitto G. Pineda, Public Affairs Department)