Oil crisis may drive private hospital fees up

MANILA — As the oil crisis and its impact continue to be felt by different sectors, including healthcare, the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHAPi) said some hospitals may have to increase their fees by around 5 percent.

Speaking to ABS-CBN News, PHAPi president Dr. Jose Rene De Grano explained hospitals are reliant on diesel to make sure generator sets are operational.

“Kasi hindi naman minsan natin maiwasan na magkaroon ng brownout, etc. Lahat ng mga gensets na yan are powered by diesel mostly,” he said.

The operation of ambulances and hospital shuttle services are also affected by rising pump prices.

De Grano said hospitals are mindful of the financial burden Filipinos already face but the conflict in the Middle East, which has yet to see an end, will inevitably force them to raise prices.

“Posibleng maramdaman yan sa increase ng ginagawa ng serbisyo kasi ang mga supplies na ginagamit are mostly imported. Sa gamot din, although sabihin natin karamihan naman may pino-produce dito na nirre-repack, but then lahat 'yan karamihan are imported din.”

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He said hospitals may raise fees within the next month or two at at the rate things are going.

The Department of Health said it cannot control the movement of hospital fees, but said changes should be clearly explained.

“Paano na-compute yung five percent? Kaya uulitin yung sinabi ko na kailangan i-unbundle natin. Kung ito'y nakikita talaga na epekto ng pagtaas ng presyo ng langis, makikita naman natin yun” said DOH Spokesperson Albert Domingo.

So far, the DOH said they have not observed any changes in the public’s health seeking behavior — or whether someone will seek professional care for medical issues.

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De Grano said, however, that private hospitals are seeing fewer consultations. The ongoing crisis, he said, may see even more people availing of medical services in government hospitals.