LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The provincial health office has discouraged the public from undergoing surgical operations outside hospitals to prevent unnecessary deaths.
In an interview over Aksyon Radyo’s Say Pangasinan Natan (SPN) segment aired every Saturday, Provincial Health Officer Anna Teresa de Guzman urged the local residents to be careful in seeking medical treatment for their illnesses. “Visit the nearest hospital which are equipped with complete health facilities and skilled doctors,” she said.
The warning came following a recent medical-surgical mission held recently at barangay Banaga in Bugallon town believed to be sponsored by a local politician, saying that “such activity has no permission from the local health authority. “
“Wala pong maipakita na permit ang mga coordinator ng nagsasagawa ng medical-surgical mission at sinabi po nila na iyong mga pasyente na gustong magpa-opera ay dadalhin sa Tarlac,” de Guzman said.
Citing Administrative Order No. 30-2009 of the Department of Health, De Guzman disclosed the revised policies and guidelines in the conduct of medical-surgical missions anywhere in the country saying that “it must be properly coordinated with the LGUs and it should be conducted in the hospital.”
With this new policy, de Guzman said the PHO is now vigilant in this kind of activity especially during political season to prevent an accident similar to what happened in the surgical mission which was held only in an improvised medical clinic.
“Dahil dito ay hindi na namin pinapahintulutan ang pagsasagawa ng medical mission sa eskwelehan o sa basketball court para maprotektahan ang ating mga kababayan sa anumang kumplikasyon na hahantong sa hindi magandang pangyayari” she added.
“Kung kayo po ay may bukol na gustong ipatanggal sa inyong katawan o gustong ipaopera ang katarata sa mata, kayo ay pumunta sa pinakamalapit na hospital na kung saan kumpleto ang equipment at sigurado na kayo ay mabibigyan ng medikal na atensyon ng ating mga bihasang mga doktor,” de Guzman said.
Apart from improved health care facilities and highly-trained medical staff, all 14 provincial government-owned and managed hospitals are also implementing PhilHealth’s Point-of-Care program which enrolls and guarantees poor in-patients to avail of the “No Billing Policy” during confinement.
By Dexter A. See
