The Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC) has explained that when they receive Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) patients, this means income deficit for the hospital.
This is contrary to the impression of the public that the hospital wanted that cases being brought to them will be Covid 19 positive as they can claim more from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation or (PhilHealth).
Medical Center Chief, Dr. Afdal B. Kunting, said for January 1 to 31 alone, they have an income deficit of more than 11 million.
For the Covid primary those with pneumonia for the 44 patients the total bill was P4,238,613.42 the Philhealth shouldered P2,851,752.00 which means ZCMC shouldered the excess of P1,386,861.42.
For the Covid non primary or also called incidental Covid, for the 497 patients the total bill was P14,188,353.62 the Philhealth shouldered P4,492,600.00 which means ZCMC shouldered the excess of P9,659,753.62.
“Si chene uno pasyente entra aki Covid example pari, grande diamun gastos porke kame saka piedra ase puk puk na diamun kabeza?” Kunting said.
He added, “Pensa tambien el hente, si ta ase kanila positive para man income? Grande diamun lugi this is only for one month.”
Zamboanga City Medical Center is region 9’s Covid 19 referral facility. The hospital also have the necessary equipments especially for these patients such as medication Remdesivir, ventilator, high flow nasal cannula, and oxygen. For the ventilators the hospital has 19, and high flow nasal canula five.
These patients stay at the hospital the shortest is ten days to one month.
ZCMC is not only serving Zamboanga City but also the region, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi Tawi.
ZCMC is one of the Department of Health (DOH) regional office 9 retained hospitals. Other hospitals includes: Mindanao Central Sanitarium; Labuan Hospital; Basilan General Hospital; Dr. Jose Rizal Memorial Hospital; Margosatubig Regional Hospital; and Sulu Sanitarium. (R.G. A A. Go)
