21 medical groups issue ‘indignation letter’ against ‘massive corruption’ in DOH
Corruption

21 medical groups issue ‘indignation letter’ against ‘massive corruption’ in DOH

Oct 11, 2021, 7:28 AM
Rose De La Cruz

Rose De La Cruz

Writer/Columnist

The medical groups’ issuance of an indignation statement is timely as the Senate blue ribbon committee, faced with a blank wall on its investigation on Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. because of a standing order from President Duterte prohibiting members of his Cabinet and other government agencies from participating in the investigation of the committee, is winding down its probe

Doctors, nurses and other health care workers, who have been on the front lines battling the invisible and virulent enemy, Covid-19, vented their frustration over the government’s mishandling of the pandemic and widespread corruption and lack of accountability in allocating and awarding the budget for safety gears and other pandemic-related expenses to a favored, under-capitalized and new Chinese trading company.

The medical groups said they could no longer compromise the “truth for what (we) have been conditioned to believe to be true but clearly isn't.”

"The corruption and the total disregard for decency and morality have begun to permeate the Filipino soul. This is not who we are, but this is what we are going to be unless we do something about it now. Impunity has become the norm; the culture that our offspring will imbibe in the years to come is there for all of us to dread," they said in a joint statement issued on Friday (October 8).

The statement, which was signed by heads of at least 21 medical groups, did not mince words against the government as they expressed indignation over the misuse of P67 billion worth of pandemic funds, which has been the subject of marathon congressional hearings for alleged corruption.

"We are already down on the ground, made worse by the fear, helplessness and hopelessness that can paralyze us into inaction," they said.

As the country deals with the fresh surge in infections driven by the highly transmissible Delta variant, health workers who are on the front lines continue to suffer from poor working conditions and delayed benefits, the statement went.

Signatories to the indignation letter were past presidents and leaders of: Philippine Heart Association; Philippine Lipid and Arteriosclerosis Society; Philippine College of Physicians- Southern Luzon Chapter; Philippine Obstetrics and Gynecological Society; Philippine College of Surgeons; Philippine College of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine; Philippine Society of Hypertension; Philippine Society of General Internal Medicine ; Academy of Filipino Neurosurgeons; Solidarity of Health Advocates and Personnel with a Unified Plan to defeat COVID-19; Philippine Psychiatry Association; Philippine Society of Medical Oncology; UP Medical Alumni Society; Integrated Midwives Association of the Philippines Inc.; Philippine Society of Oncologists; Philippine College of Chest Physicians; Philippine Society of Digestive Endoscopy; HPAAC Open Spaces Coalition; Philippine Association of HPB Surgeons; Philippine Obstetrics and Gynecological Society; and the Philippine Neurology Association.

‘Utter outrage’

Their issuance of an indignation statement is timely as the Senate blue ribbon committee, faced with a blank wall on its investigation on Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. because of a standing order from President Duterte prohibiting members of his Cabinet and other government agencies from participating in the investigation of the committee, is winding down its probe on Tuesday (October 12).

The statement of healthcare professionals thus adds to the clamor for continued investigation until those responsible will be charged and made to face the law.

Healthcare professionals said they were “utterly outraged” by the alleged corruption and misuse of billions of Covid funds while they are risking their lives to fight the pandemic.

“While we risk our lives taking care of Filipino patients without regard to any political leanings, it is loathsome to hear that there may be people who exploit the situation,” the Philippine College of Physicians said.

“We call for transparency, exigency, and accountability,” the PCP said.

Impartial probe sought

They urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to conduct an immediate, impartial and thorough investigation and the Ombudsman to file appropriate cases against all those responsible for such corruption.

“The time to act is now,” they urged.

“Exposed and battered beyond any doubt in the past 18 months of the global pandemic, our broken health systems need to be overhauled and invested upon with huge financial resources […] and the political will of our top leaders to get things done quickly,” they said in a statement released last Friday.

The group, which at present includes signatories from 89 leaders and past presidents of medical societies including former health secretary Dr. Esperanza Cabral and former president of the Philippine College of Physicians Dr. Anthony Leachon, called out the corruption of “politicians and people with absolutely no competence in running the country.” Other signatories include Dr. Raffy Castillo, Dr. Eugene Ramos, Dr. Saturnino Javier and Dr. Minguita Padilla.

This comes after the Commission of Audit (COA) flagged the Department of Health (DOH) for P67-billion worth of “deficiencies” in Covid-19 funds and anomalies hounding the PS-DBM and the DOH in connection with the purchase of supplies for the Covid-19 pandemic.

The doctors asserted their call to hold accountable those responsible for the abuse, misuse, and theft of taxpayer money while citizens’ lives have been at stake.

Health workers in Manila have also been protesting outside the DOH during their shift breaks, demanding their risk allowances, hazard pay, and the resignation of Health Secretary Francisco Duque.

Tags: #medicalgroups, #DepartmentOfHealth, #Pharmally, #corruption, #Covid19, #healthcareworkers


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