Pagadian City (September 5, 2019) – The provincial government of Zamboanga del Sur has responded to
the complaint of patients and their families on the shortage of medicines at the
Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center (ZDSMC).
In an exclusive interview, Atty. Baldomero “Baleleng” Fernandez,
chairman of the Committee on Health of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, shed light
on the issue and quoted the actions undertaken by the provincial government to
solve the problem.
In an official statement, Gov. Victor Yu said despite the
commitment of the provincial government to implement the No Balance Billing
System, the medical center has encountered problems in the procurement of
medical supplies.
Gov. Yu explained that the usual bidding procedure has been
availed but failed in the end because bidders couldn’t cope up with the
standards provided by the Drug Price Reference Index of the Department of
Health.
Under the DOH policy, low ceiling prices are being offered for
medicines excluding the cost for freight and handling, a factor that disinterest
bidders since it causes clear loss on their part.
Currently, the provincial government resorted to Small Value
Purchasing (SVP) through cash advance procedure but only as a “band-aid” solution.
Under the SVP practice, only small quantity of drugs and medicines can be
purchased which resulted to recurring shortage of medical supplies. Moreover, such
procedure cannot be done permanently since the Commission on Audit has warned
that it can only be practiced during emergency cases.
Atty. Fernandez revealed that Gov. Yu sought the help of the
Sangguniang Panlalawigan to grant him authority to create a Consignment Committee
based on the provisions of Republic Act 8194 otherwise known as “Government
Procurement Reform Act”.
The governor considers the consignment scheme as a legal and
faster way to address the problem on medicine shortage of the government-owned
hospital. It is also the usual practice used by LGU and DOH hospitals around
the country.
In the consignment scheme, the province will accredit all pharmaceutical
dealers and suppliers to become consignors where they can put medicines in the
pharmacy of the hospital and will be paid based on the consumed items at a designated
period of time.
Fernandez said the Provincial Board has approved the request of
Gov. Yu during the last week’s session and they are just waiting for the official
copy of the resolution regarding the matter.
Finally, Atty. Fernandez explained that the problem on medicine
shortage couldn’t be solved overnight but he affirmed that the current
administration is doing its best to address any concerns of the medical center in
order to provide better services to the people of Zamboanga del Sur.
