Deal With The Devil: Lee Seeks House Probe On ‘Human Bopis For Sale’
‘DEAL WITH THE DEVIL’: Lee Seeks House Probe On ‘Human Bopis For Sale “Pakikipagkasundo sa demonyo!” This is how AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee described the reported illicit trade of organs where health workers such as nurses and doctors are allegedly involved. Lee, a staunch health advocate, filed House Resolution No. 1803 urging the Congress to investigate the illegal sale of kidneys and other internal organs in the country and to crack down on the said illicit practices. At the symposium on Special Health Fund (SHF) organized by the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) – Negros Occidental Chapter and Association of Local Government Accountants – Province of Negros Occidental (ALGANO) held in Bacolod City today where he attended as guest speaker, Lee lamented how this “Human Bopis for Sale” scheme or the illegal practice of selling kidneys and other internal organs targets poor Filipinos and goes against existing laws, specifically the “Organ Donation Act of 1991” and “Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012”. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Philippines is recognized internationally as one of the global hotspots for organ trafficking along with countries like India, Pakistan, China, Egypt, and Colombia. In his House Resolution, Lee noted that “many kidney donors, particularly those from vulnerable communities such as slums, are often unaware of the risks and side effects of the operation.” “Sinasamantala ng mga ganitong modus ang mahihirap nating kababayan, lalo na ang mga gipit o ‘kapit sa patalim’ at desperado nang kumita para may pantustos sa pangangailangan ng pamilya,” he said. “Ang nakakabahala dito, may mga sangkot pa umanong doktor at nurse–sila na pinagkakatiwalaan ng ating mga kababayan, pero sila pa palang nagtutulak lalo sa kanila sa kumunoy ng kapahamakan,” he added. On July 17, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested three individuals in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan for being involved in an alleged organ trafficking syndicate. They implicated National Kidney Transplant Institute (NKTI) staff nurse Allan Ligaya as the alleged leader of the illegal organ trade, who remains at large, while three doctors were also summoned by the NBI for participating in the blood matching of donors. Reportedly, there are nine alleged victims who were lured with a payment of P200,000 in exchange for their kidneys and were held in a house and subjected to various processes before their kidneys were eventually transferred. “This may only be the tip of the iceberg. Sa pagsasaliksik ng aming opisina, naglipana na rin ang mga Facebook groups kung saan lantaran ang bentahan ng laman-loob ng tao. Halimbawa nito yung ‘kidney donor Philippines 2.0’. Isang search lang, lalabas na agad ang posts at comments na nag-aalok ng kidney—parang online pasa-buy pero laman-loob ang ibinibenta. May mga natanggap na rin tayong report na pati atay at dugo ng tao, talamak na rin ang bentahan,” Lee stated. “Kailangang agaran at seryosong imbestigahan ito, para panagutin sa lalong madaling panahon ang mga nambibiktima sa marami nating kababayan. Pwedeng sindikato ang mga sangkot dito, at kung pababayaan lang na mamayagpag ang ganitong pakikipag-transaksyon sa demonyo at mga halang ang kaluluwa, ilan pang mga kababayan natin, kabilang na ang mga bata, ang pwedeng malinlang at malagay ang buhay sa peligro?” he asked. The lawmaker further underscored the need for the government to review its policies regarding organ donation to increase its numbers which can discourage people from undertaking risky and illicit transactions. “Filipinos deserve better, and we should demand better. Hindi totoong natutulungan ang mga nangangailangan kung kikita sila kapalit ang kanilang kalusugan, o mismong ang kanilang buhay. Dapat nang tuldukan ang karumal-dumal na gawaing ito, at masampolan ang nasa likod nito,” he added. Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Previous PostNext Post Latest Posts 07 Nov 2024 Lee Blasts DOH For Failure To Submit Comprehensive Plan To Lower Out-Of-Pocket Medical Costs 06 Nov 2024 Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee’s Push for Free Optometric Services to Benefit 40M Filipinos 05 Nov 2024 Cong. Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee Welcomes Inclusion of Free Eyeglasses in PhilHealth Benefits Categories Healthcare Policy Public Health Initiatives Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Healthcare Access and Equity Spread the News
Pagamutan Hindi Piitan! Lee Seeks Probe To Stop ‘Palit-Ulo’ In Hospitals
“PAGAMUTAN HINDI PIITAN!” Lee Seeks Probe To Stop ‘Palit-Ulo’ In Hospitals AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee has filed a measure which seeks to probe the alleged hospital detention of relatives of the deceased patients as well as the refusal to release death certificates and other relevant medical documents due to unsettled bills of the patient, forcing those involved to find another person to replace them in the hospital before they are allowed to leave its premises—a scheme known as “palit-ulo”. Lee filed House Resolution No. 1674 after the reported complaints against ACE (Allied Care Experts) Medical Center, which allegedly held in detention the relatives of deceased patients and refused to provide death certificate, unless replaced by another person or until their hospital dues were settled. “Pinupuntahan ang mga hospital para ipagamot, hindi para ikulong, ang mga pasyente at mga kaanak nila. Demonyo ang gumagawa ng krimeng ito; sila na dumadagdag pa sa pasanin at pagdurusa ng mga pasyente at kanilang pamilya,” he asked. “Eh kung sila kaya ang ikulong, habang nangangamba sa kalusugan ng kaanak, o habang nagluluksa sa pagkamatay ng kapamilya?” “Pagamutan, hindi piitan. Pakikipagkapwa-tao, hindi negosyo. Malasakit at hindi pasakit sana ang pairalin ng ating mga ospital,” Lee stated. In the said Resolution, Lee recounted the experiences of reported “palit-ulo” victims in the said hospital, such as Richel Mae Alvaro who was barred from leaving its premises due to her husband’s unsettled bill. Alvaro was still under illegal detention even after the remains of her husband were already taken out of the hospital. Lovery Magtangob, on the other hand, was allegedly asked to stay at the Office of Safety Officer while waiting for her brother to settle the bill of their relative. Magtangob said she was released only after paying a partial payment of their unsettled bill. According to the Bicolano lawmaker, hospitals that practice “palit-ulo” scheme are criminally liable for Serious Illegal Detention and Slight Illegal Detention under the Revised Penal Code. “Acquiring unsettled hospital bills is not a criminal offense under our laws, and the same is also not an ailment requiring compulsory confinement of the patient in a hospital. Kaya tigilan na itong kawalanghiyaan, karumal-dumal, at ilegal na gawaing ito!” Lee said. Through HR 1674, Lee underscored the importance of identifying any loopholes in the existing policies regarding the rights of patients, their relatives, and visitors, and the rights of hospitals and medical clinics over unsettled bills of patients, as well as exacting accountability to those who are involved in the illegal detention. The solon also pointed out that the “palit-ulo” scheme is proof that there is an alarming gap and perennial problems in our healthcare system that needs to be addressed with appropriate measures. “Hindi na nga po nakapagtataka kung bakit pangunahin sa mga pangamba ng ating mga kababayan ang pagkakasakit, kung saan marami ang namamatay nang hindi man lang nakapagpapatingin sa doktor o ospital; o pinipili na lang maratay sa bahay sa kabila ng mabigat na karamdaman,” Lee said. “Lahat tayo, may karapatang mabuhay. Mayaman man o mahirap, dapat pinagkakalooban ng estado ng de-kalidad, abot-kaya, at may pusong serbisyong pangkalusugan. Nasaan ang hustisya kung sa kagustuhan mong magpagamot at mabuhay, ikukulong ka pa o ang iyong mga kapamilya?” he lamented. Lee, a staunch health advocate, persistently pushed for the 30% increase in Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) benefits which took effect on February 14. The solon also advocated for unlimited coverage for dialysis, cancer treatment, heart bypass surgery, and other diagnostic tests and preventive measures, as well as the effective implementation of the No Balance Billing policy so that patients and their families won’t be burdened by high medical expenses. “Winner Tayo Lahat kung nandyan ang Estado para bawasan ang alalahanin ng mamamayan ukol sa kanilang trabaho, kita, pagkain, lalong-lalo na sa kanilang kalusugan,” he said. “Panalo ang sambayanan kung lahat ng ospital, hindi lang nagpapagaling o nagbibigay ng lunas sa karamdaman, kundi tunay ring kumakalinga at umuunawa sa kalagayan ng mga pasyente at ng kanilang mga mahal sa buhay,” Lee stressed. Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Previous PostNext Post Latest Posts 07 Nov 2024 Lee Blasts DOH For Failure To Submit Comprehensive Plan To Lower Out-Of-Pocket Medical Costs 06 Nov 2024 Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee’s Push for Free Optometric Services to Benefit 40M Filipinos 05 Nov 2024 Cong. Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee Welcomes Inclusion of Free Eyeglasses in PhilHealth Benefits Categories Healthcare Policy Public Health Initiatives Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues Healthcare Access and Equity Spread the News