DOH: 'Palit Ulo' complaints vs. Valenzuela private hospital resolved

MANILA – The Department of Health has resolved four complaints of "Palit Ulo" that allegedly occurred in a private hospital in Valenzuela City.

"Palit Ulo" is a practice which requires patients' relatives to have a replacement person present if they wish to leave the premises for necessities.

In a release on Friday, the DOH Metro Manila Center for Health Development (MMCHD) said the complaints were against ACE Medical Center Valenzuela and involved varying circumstances but with a common allegation – that the hospital detained patients' relatives until outstanding medical bills have been settled.

The DOH-Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau (HFSRB) found ACE Medical Center Valenzuela not guilty in two complaints on alleged detention – Alvaro v. ACE Medical Center Valenzuela, and Magtangob v. ACE Medical Center Valenzuela, in relation to Republic Act 9439 or the Anti-Hospital Detention Law.

Both cases were dismissed as the DOH-HFSRB reasoned that the DOH is not the appropriate government tribunal with the power to enforce the Anti-Hospital Detention Law.

However, the bureau found the hospital liable in two other cases: Zafra and Ignacio cases.

In the Zafra case, the hospital failed to register the birth of the complainant's daughter because of an outstanding bill, which prevented the child from enrolling in school, thus violating DOH Department Circular 2020-0120 and Administrative Order 2012-0012, which mandates all hospitals to register births, regardless of the parent's financial status.

Meanwhile, the hospital misrepresented a room with two beds but without a partition as a private room in the Ignacio case.

It also failed to comply with the interim guidelines on step-down care for coronavirus disease 2019 response, as outlined in DOH Department Memorandum 2020-0178.

Consequently, the DOH imposed an administrative fine of P30,000 on ACE Medical Center Valenzuela as a penalty for the second offense for the non-compliance with the standards set by the department.

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa urged concerned parties to seek justice before the proper courts for alleged violations of statutory laws that require judicial intervention.

"We will continue to monitor and enforce compliance across all hospitals and medical facilities to guarantee that they meet the administrative and licensing standards set forth by the Department, prioritizing the welfare of the public at all times," he said. (PNA)