Valenzuela City Mayor Weslie “WES” Gatchalian on Wednesday, April 3, ordered an investigation on a private hospital that illegally detained relatives of patients for their failure to fully settle their hospital bills.
The complainants sought the help of the city government after they were illegally detained for failing to fully settle their hospital bills.
The complainants from Barangay Pasolo and Disiplina Village in Bignay filed separate complaints against private hospital employees for serious illegal detention committed last February 14 to 17, and slight illegal detention that occurred last February 28.
In the first incident, the complainant's husband was admitted to the hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and subsequently passed away. The victim claimed she was prevented from leaving the hospital premises until the outstanding bill of P518,519 was settled. She alleged that she was monitored by security guards and was only able to leave after almost three days by escaping through the back gate.
In the second incident, the complainant and her brother brought her sister-in-law to the same hospital, who also passed away. They were allegedly detained until they settled the bill that amounted to P777,378.
The complainants sought assistance from Mayor Gatchalian to obtain the death certificates of their deceased relatives and file complaints against the hospital staff.
The city government provided free legal assistance and filed formal charges against the hospital.
According to the city government, the hospital has denied the allegations.
Gatchalian said he will introduce the V-ALERT application, an emergency assistance app aimed at improving response times for emergencies and maintaining peace and order in the community.
The Valenzuela City government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights of patients and is drafting an ordinance to prohibit the detention of patients in hospitals, prioritizing the welfare of Valenzuela residents.
The victims, assisted by the city government, filed cases for violation of Article 267 and 268 of the Revised Penal Code.