Patients buy own medicines in rundown Southern Leyte hospital

Patients in a district hospital in Southern Leyte have to shell out their own money to buy medicines and IV lines  due to the unavailability of the supplies, according to a report by JP Soriano on 24 Oras on Thursday.

"Ang dami-dami po talagang wala. Ang mangyayari, ang patient is bibili sa labas tapos ire-reimburse na lang po," a nurse said.

According to the staff, the hospital lacks medical equipment and medicine, such as antibiotics and vials for pneumonia, UTI,  asthma, and pain relievers.

"Mga 90% yung wala. May mataas na lagnat yung pasyente, bibigyan sana namin ng paracetamol na IV. Eh kahit paracetamol wala kami," Anahawan District Hospital OIC Dr. Lucina Luta said.

The hospital itself appeared like a sick patient badly needing rehabilitation.  The ceiling on some rooms have begun to crumble, beds are falling apart, plastic bottles are used as doorknobs, comfort rooms look like breeding grounds of bacteria.

The management of the hospital said it has been asking for assistance for a time to no avail.

Aside from Anahawan, the district hospital has Silago, Hinonangan, Hinundayan, San Juan, and St. Bernard under its jurisdiction.

"Frustrated lang talaga ako. Kasi nakakaawa lang talaga yung mga pasyente," Luta said.

According to the provincial office of Southern Leyte, there is a budget allocation for medicines. However, they had a problem with procurement.  The award for the bidding was also delayed due to the election ban. 

"Rest assured na naghanap kami, kung pano ma-correct lahat 'yan na hindi kami problema sa COA," Southern Leyte Governor Damian Mercado said.

According to Mercado, the facilities of the hospital are scheduled for repair and that they have received the budget from the Department of Health. —Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News