The National Bureau of Investigation has filed complaints against two hospitals and several staff who allegedly refused to attend to a woman who just gave birth due to lack of down payment.
A television report on Tuesday said that Catherine Bulatao, who gave birth last April, failed to receive treatment from Far Eastern University-Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation in Quezon City and Grace General Hospital in Bulacan.
Bulatao was able to give birth at their home in Caloocan but needed a medical procedure due to a complication.
The midwife who assisted in the delivery of the baby recommended that she should be brought to a hospital to remove the placenta from her uterus.
The victim’s husband, Christian Bulatao, said the FEU Hospital refused to admit her unless they pay the P30,000 downpayment.
When Catherine was rushed to Grace General Hospital, the medical staff allegedly said they did not have an obstetrician on duty at that time.
“Nakapag-file na po kami sa office of the city prosecutor against FEU Hospital at tsaka sa Bulacan against Grace General Hospital,” NBI-National Capital Region head agent Dante Pua said.
“Ang sabi ng Grace General Hospital, wala silang ob-gyne na naka-duty or naka-standby. Eh puwede naman po sila sanang tumawag at magpapunta ng ob-gyne nila dahil emergency case po ito eh dahil hindi natanggal ‘yong bahay anakan ni Catherine,” Pua added.
Christian welcomed the move of the NBI.
“Medyo nakaluwag-luwag po sa nararamdaman namin kasi iniisip namin siyempre malalaking ospital po ‘yon, baka wala kami laban. Masaya kami at mayroon ng update,” he said.
The two hospitals and their staff were charged for violation of Republic Act No. 10932 or the Anti-Hospital Deposit Law.
Meanwhile, FEU-NRMF business development and marketing officer Mark Santos said they have yet to be notified by the NBI.
The FEU-NRMF denied the allegations.
“It is our strict policy to always provide medical assistance in an emergency case. We also do not require down payment for the admission of emergency cases. We cannot comment on the NBI decision as we have not been notified by them,” Santos said.
Meanwhile, the Grace General Hospital has yet to respond as of posting time.