President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the Department of Health (DOH) to streamline the implementation of the zero billing policy in all DOH-accredited hospitals. There have been reports of long lines and confusion among patients, so the President wants the process to be clear.
During his visit to the Eastern Visayas Medical Center in Tacloban City, the President said that staff should be properly briefed so that patients do not face difficulties in availing the benefits. The zero balance billing policy was first announced by Marcos in his fourth SONA in July.
This policy covers patients admitted to basic accommodation rooms or wards in DOH-accredited hospitals. There is no need for out-of-pocket expenses or additional payment from patients.
Before the hospital inspection, Marcos personally handed over 124 patient transport vehicles (PTVs) to various local governments in Eastern Visayas. This includes towns that only recently had their own ambulance, such as Abuyog, Jaro, Kananga, Matalom and Santa Fe in Leyte; Tagapulan in Samar; General MacArthur, Salcedo and San Policarpio in Eastern Samar; and Lapinig, San Vicente and Silvino Lobos in Northern Samar.
Each ambulance is fully equipped with equipment such as a stretcher, oxygen tank, blood pressure monitor, and first aid kit. According to Marcos, this model is practical because it meets 90% of the basic needs of the patient. In total, out of 1,642 cities and towns in the country, 1,173 now have their own PTVs.
