PhilHealth president and chief executive officer, Dr. Rey Aquino, yesterday assured Negros Oriental Gov. Emilio Macias II, said he will study the possible re-classification of district and primary hospitals in the province after learning about the real situation in the countryside, and after PhilHealth had downgraded the hospital classifications.

Aquino and top officials of PhilHealth in Manila were in Negros Oriental to look into its health insurance program.

Macias said he was pushed against the wall so the Provincial Health Insurance in Negros Oriental was established, to cushion the impact of the downgrading of the hospitals, except the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital.

As a result of the downgrading, patients in the primary hospitals of Kalomboyan, Amio, Nabilog, Pacuan, Inapoy and Luz Sikatuna can no longer avail of PhilHleaht benefits, and also patients treated in district hospitals in Bais, Bindoy, Guihulngan, Bayawan and Siaton.

It was learned that the accreditation was not based on the charter of the PhilHealth, but on a memorandum circular issued by those who have no idea where these hospitals are located and what their capabilities are.

Aquino told Macias of the possibility of introducing amendments that will benefit the Negrenses.

He said PhilHealth and PHINO should complement each other, rather than engage in unhealthy competition.

Already, 14 PHINO members have benefited from the insurance program while enrolment is going on. It has an initial budget of P5 million with counterpart funds from local government units.*JG

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