Iloilo hospital treated crash victim right away, councilor says

ILOILO CITY — The private hospital accused of refusing care to a road crash victim who later died attended to him immediately and coordinated his transfer to a government-run hospital, the chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod committee on health said Thursday, Sept. 17.

Iloilo City Councilor Alan Zaldivar said the private hospital submitted a confidential incident report to his committee amid questions surrounding its response to the accident.

The victim, a 30-year-old delivery rider from Barangay Tacas, Jaro, was injured in an accident along Dra. Rizalina V. Bernardo Avenue in Barangay San Rafael, Mandurriao, on Aug. 27.

He died two days later, on Aug. 29.

A video of the incident showed the rider lying injured and bleeding on the road at around 4 a.m.

An overseas Filipino worker who witnessed the incident sought help from the nearby hospital, but security guards and staff allegedly refused to bring out a stretcher or provide first aid and told the witness to call the Iloilo City Emergency Response and the police.

Zaldivar said the hospital’s report confirmed that its staff provided immediate emergency intervention to the victim.

“While the document itself cannot be disclosed publicly, we can share that the report affirms that emergency intervention was immediately provided by hospital staff, the patient was accommodated in the emergency room, and appropriate medical care was administered,” he said.

He said the hospital also clarified that it complied with existing laws and Department of Health directives governing emergency treatment.

The hospital also coordinated the victim’s eventual transfer to the Western Visayas Medical Center, also in Mandurriao, he added.

The medical center is the Department of Health’s regional referral hospital and receives most public emergency and trauma cases in Iloilo City.

Republic Act 8344, as amended by Republic Act 10932, prohibits hospitals and clinics from refusing to administer initial medical treatment and support in emergency or serious cases.

Violators face fines ranging from PHP 100,000 to PHP 1 million, as well as imprisonment.

Zaldivar made the disclosure ahead of the committee hearing on the incident scheduled for Sept. 22.

The hearing stems from a resolution calling for an investigation in aid of legislation into how hospitals in Iloilo City respond to emergencies occurring near their premises.

Councilor Sedfrey Cabaluna filed the resolution, which the City Council approved Sept. 9 and referred to the committee on health.

“The purpose of our ongoing inquiry is not to assign blame, but to clarify emergency procedures and strengthen coordination among hospitals and responders,” Zaldivar said.

The councilor said the inquiry could serve as a basis for possible legislation aimed at protecting hospitals, clarifying patient rights, and setting clearer standards for emergency response.

An inquiry involving hospital directors in Iloilo City has also been scheduled to gather their input, discuss existing practices, and identify areas for improvement, he added.

Zaldivar said the City Council also intends to ensure that hospitals are properly supported in future investigations while patients and the public are safeguarded.