(NI NOEL ABUEL)

MAGSASAGAWA ng imbestigasyon ang Senado hinggil sa kontrobersiya  sa paggamit ng pondo ng Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) para sa mga pasyenteng sumasailalim sa dialysis treatment.

Ayon kay Senador Risa Hontiveros, kailangang may managot sa nasabing anomalya at hindi dapat na palampasin nang basta-basta.

Sinabi nitong kailangan ang imbestigasyon sa ibinulgar ng whistleblower na si Edwin Roberto na pinapayagan ng PhilHealth ang mga kuwestiyunableng claims at pagpapalabas na pondo para sa mga ghost dialysis o dialysis treatments o mga dating sumasailalim sa naturang gamutan pero mga nasawi na.

“The gravity of the recent allegations should prompt government to check if every peso under the PhilHealth is indeed being used in a manner compliant with laws and the PhilHealth’s mandate. We cannot allow fraud and greed to impede the effective delivery of health services to the people,” dagdag pa ni Hontiveros, vice-chair ng Senate Committee on Health and Demography at dati ring nanungkulan bilang board member ng Philhealth mula 2014 hanggang 2015.

Aniya, kung may katotohanan ang nasabing alegasyon ay naloloko ang pamahalaan at napagkakaitan ang maraming mahihirap na Filipino na makakuha ng librang gamutan.

“This scheme not only steals funds from government, but may have also led to the deaths of people who would have otherwise benefited from PhilHealth’s programs. A response from government is needed,” sabi nito.

Giit pa ni Hontiveros, dapat na agarang masolusyunan ang kontrobersya sa health insurance system ng pamahalaan bago ang implementasyon ng Universal Healthcare Act.

“The funds under our national health insurance program are supposed to empower our people especially the poor and bring them closer to affordable and effective healthcare. Any misuse of these funds is a betrayal of this vital mission, and must be stopped,” dagdag pa ni Hontiveros.