Senator Erwin Tulfo on Sunday, July 13 urged the Department of Health (DOH) to explain why guarantee letters (GLs) given to indigent patients are being denied by some hospitals, both public and private.

According to Tulfo, some patients seeking assistance from his office alleged that they were referred to the DOH but were told to return another day.

“There’s a patient who wanted to be treated at the Philippine Heart Center but was told to return another day,” the neophyte senator said. 

Another indigent patient needing urgent care at the National Kidney Transplant Institute (NKTi) was told to “just wait for a bit.”

“This is unacceptable. For someone who is sick, every second counts. Asking them to wait is not an option,” Tulfo said.

Tulfo demanded transparency on the side of the DOH saying it has to be upfront if they still have the funds for indigent patients.

“If you no longer have funds for indigent patients, say so. Don’t give them false hope. These people didn’t choose to get sick—let’s not make their burden heavier,” he said. 

Tulfo said Congress approved sufficient funding for MAIFIP—or the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients Program.

“If there are no funds left, how did that happen?” he asked.

He also expressed concern that the DOH may have depleted its funds, citing reports that private hospitals in Region IV-A—particularly in Batangas—are considering suspending the acceptance of GLs until the P530 million in allegedly unpaid claims are settled.

“We want answers…where are the funds? Was it used during the elections? Or was the MAIFIP funds mismanaged?” he further asked.