𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐁𝐎𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐎𝐅 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐒 𝐎𝐂𝐂𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐋 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐒 𝐎𝐍 𝐃𝐎𝐇 𝐑𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐋𝐀𝐖𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐁𝐄𝐃 𝐂𝐀𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐓 𝐌𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐒𝐌𝐂

The members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Misamis Occidental are calling on the Department of Health (DOH) concerning the implementation of two laws authored and enacted by former 2nd District Representative and Deputy Speaker, now Misamis Occidental Governor Henry S. Oaminal, aimed at enhancing the services at Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro, Sr. Medical Center (MHARSMC) by increasing its bed capacity to 1500 and improving its services, not just in the province but across Region 10. However, these laws have not yet been implemented at the hospital.

Through Resolution No. 588-24, the Provincial Board members have expressed their concern to the DOH about the failure of MHARSMC, under the management of Medical Center Chief Dr. Jesus Martin S. Sanciangco III, to implement the provisions of these laws, depriving the people of Misamis Occidental of quality medical services.

On June 23, 2016, Republic Act No. 10865, or the Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro, Sr. Medical Center Act, was enacted, which increased MHARSMC's bed capacity from 150 to 500 beds. This law was to be implemented within four (4) years from its approval. However, after eight years, the management of MHARSMC has still not met the requirements for implementing this law.

Additionally, on June 24, 2021, Congress enacted Republic Act No. 11563, or "An Act Increasing the Bed Capacity of Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro, Sr. Medical Center in the Province of Misamis Occidental from Five Hundred (500) to One Thousand (1000) beds, upgrading its Professional Health Services and Facilities, Authorizing the Increase of its Medical Personnel and Appropriating Funds Therefor." This law was created to provide MHARSMC with services not only for patients in Misamis Occidental but for the entire region due to its strategic location in Northern Mindanao. Yet, similarly to RA 10865, the hospital management has failed to implement this mandate.

It is important to note that these two laws, authored by the former Congressman and Deputy Speaker, now Governor Oaminal, were passed with the significant aim of providing a world-class health facility for the people of Misamis Occidental and maximizing the services of the mentioned hospital. According to the SP Resolution, the goals of these laws have not been achieved despite the set timelines and the strong support of the former Congressman, due to the weak leadership of MHARSMC.

The Provincial Board has also observed a 5-storey building within the MHARSMC compound, completed in 2021, intended to provide additional wards, semi-private, and suite rooms, but these rooms remain unused. This building remains unused despite the large number of patients being turned away from the hospital due to a lack of available rooms, further indicating a deficiency in the leadership of the hospital.

Furthermore, the Board discussed complaints from patients who reportedly transferred to private hospitals due to fear of death if they stayed at MHARSMC. However, upon transferring, they found that the same doctors from MHARSMC were attending to them, forcing patients to pay private hospital fees. There have also been instances where patients were not immediately attended to and were placed in hallways, suffering from delays in being moved to a room or ward. An example of poor management at MHARSMC involved a baby with dengue, who was transferred from Misamis Occidental Provincial Hospital to MHARSMC. MHARSMC admitted the stable baby but did not guarantee a bed. The baby was still in stable condition when transferred and was placed under the care of a nurse before leaving. The following morning, the baby passed away. According to the affidavit from the MOPH doctor, there were deficiencies, especially in the management of MHARSMC.

The resolution also mentioned the non-payment of MHARSMC's suppliers, resulting in multi-million debts to various suppliers, raising questions about the use of the hospital’s income and budget.

Concerned that quality medical service is not being delivered to the public due to incomplete implementation of these laws, the members of the Provincial Board of Misamis Occidental are calling on the DOH to investigate and place the management of MHARSMC under preventive suspension for a fair investigation.