February 16, 2012
Dr. Enrique T. Ona
Secretary
Department of Health
Philippines
Dear Sir,
Good day!
This letter was supposed to be my
letter complaint last year’s sluggish response of your provincial hospital as
well as your community clinics. Since I hadn’t had the time to write
immediately and I had doubts of whether should you have concern with your
provincial area of responsibility, I did not let your office know soon. But
since, a lot of things change lately as well as the new administration, and
repeated incidents of bad governance on our provincial and municipal hospitals,
I would greatly appreciate it if my complaint months ago will just be heard and
responded by your office.
Last year, May 1; my brother has
been bitten by a stray dog. We hurriedly went to a nearest hospital (a private
one) to have him vaccinated. But we happen to cannot afford the anti-rabies
vaccine then. As a good tax payer, we knew that a portion of those taxes are allotted
for DOH. That’s is when we rushed to Polomolok Municipal Hospital where we were
instructed that we must be receiving the vaccine from South Cotabato Provincial
Hospital, which is about 40km away from
our remote place. Before travelling that far, we did tried to all the community
health centres but responses we got are of either there is no available
anti-rabies vaccine, there were no doctors to see us (since doctors are only
available on a schedule which we understood but how can we get prescription and
buy a vaccine at an amount can afford!). It was already late afternoon, so we
decided to go to the Provincial Hospital the next day. But when we got there,
we were only entertained by a nurse who promised us that a doctor will soon
attend us which she explained all the doctors were on a meeting. We did spend
our whole afternoon till 4pm and no doctor showed up! We even missed our lunch and my brother who
did not received any vaccine for over 24-hours already collapsed out of thirst,
tiredness and hunger. We honestly have no extra money for food and as well
transportation back home. The money we had was for the supposed cheaper vaccine
shots the government offer. But he did not receive any! We were too desperate
that day, we then went to a private clinic instead and had his 1st
shot. Our next problem was the succeeding shots. The provincial hospital nurse
assured us that the next week we return, there will be available doctor to see
us as well as cheaper vaccine. But sadly, same scenario happened, we were kept
waiting from 8am till everyone in the hospital were gone. Since we have no
enough money, we missed the 2nd shots. We manage to produce the
amount 2 weeks after the 1st shot. What’s so disappointing is that
we have friends who have easily received anti-rabies shots since they knew
someone in the government. How about us? The ordinary taxpaying citizen who
does not know anybody working at DOH? Money is so scarce that we decided to
just let my brother be home at Manila instead. The money that was supposedly is
paid for the 3rd shot was use a fare going back to Manila (since he
was only on vacation here). I borrowed money for my brother’s remaining
anti-rabies vaccine shots to continue it at Manila. Because of the weeks missed
for his shots, San Lorenzo Hospital doctors decided to repeat all the shots
back to day 1. Which in our part is again a waste of time and burden in finding
means? Luckily, at San Lorenzo Hospital, the amount I sent my brother for the
remaining shots are enough to cover all 5 shots. Until now, I am still paying
little by little the money I barrowed for the vaccine. I may not have barrowed
that big amount if only your local offices and centres are systematic and
responsible enough to take actions in cases like these. If San Lorenzo can be
of so much efficient and timely, how come our government clinic s and hospitals
here are not even concern of our financial and compassion needs? I am just
wondering. I hope that you may further investigate and strengthen efforts
regarding cases like these. You are a department that saves life. And
emergencies like these must have timely response and has compassionate and
considerate staffs.
I am truly hoping, that I may
never hear the same complaint as I did and as well, as taking all life (like my
brother’s life) with urgency and respect. I also hope that in the next months,
more programs and literacy about rabies awareness as well as responsible
keeping of pets must be implemented. My brother’s case is just one of the many
incidents often neglected.
Respectfully Yours,
Rona Formoso
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