Department of Health(DOH)

January 6, 2022 Dear Cheska Cordero, Greetings! Thank you for your request dated Jan 05, 2022 05:05:09 PM under Executive Order No. 2 (s. 2016) on Freedom of Information in the Executive Branch. Your Request You asked for Patient confined at Private Hospital. Response to Request Your FOI request is approved. Attached is a copy of DOH Administrative Order No. 2008-0001 on the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 9439, Otherwise Known as "An Act Prohibiting the Detention of Patients in Hospitals and Medical Clinics on Grounds of Non-Payment of Hospital Bills or Medical Expenses". The Administrative Order states as follows: "Patients, except those who stay in private rooms, who are partially or fully recovered and who wish to leave the hospital or medical clinic but are incapable to pay, in part or in full, their hospital bills or medical expenses/ hospitalization expenses shall be allowed to leave the hospital or medical clinic and shall be issued the corresponding medical certificate and other pertinent documents for their release from the hospital or medical clinic upon execution of a promissory note covering the unpaid obligations. The promissory note shall be secured by either a mortgage, or a guarantee of a co-maker who shall be jointly and severally liable for the unpaid obligations. " In this regard, kindly coordinate with the hospital and execute a promissory note on the matter. We shall also ask you to coordinate with the Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau (HFSRB) and send their office an email at [email protected] on this concern. Kindly state the hospital where your mother was admitted and the supporting documents. Thank you Your right to request a review If you are unhappy with this response to your FOI request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response by writing to Undersecretary Lilibeth C. David, Chair of Data Governance Oversight Committee/ DOH Central Appeals and Review Committee, at [email protected]. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made within 15 calendar days from the date when you received this letter. We will complete the review and tell you the result within 30 calendar days from the date when we receive your review request. If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Office of the President under Administrative Order No. 22 (s. 2011). Thank you. Respectfully, FOI Decision Maker FOI Receiving Officer