Fate of P135M equipment buy hangs, hospital services hits snag
Iloilo -- The fate of the P135 million hospital equipment meant to upgrade the services at the West Visayas State University Medical Center (WVSUMC) now hangs. Such, after medical center officials opted to seek clarification on the legality and regularity of the transaction before government lawyers in the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG).
The move came after questions were raised before the medical center's governing body, WVSU Board of Regents by two private-sector representatives on the equipment buy using the "lease-to-own" scheme.
Further still, one private medical-specialist, physician Louie Tirador came out before the local media to justify objections against the transaction. In various radio interviews, Tirador said his group has elevated their complaint before Iloilo's Graftwatch and even lobbied for congressional inquiry.
The News Today (TNT) has yet to secure documents nor any verification to confirm such move.
From claims of overpricing to alleged anomalies surrounding the procurement, target of Tirador's "ire" was fellow physician and colleague, Ramon Guerra, WVSUMC hospital director. And he is not alone on this, he said in a Bombo Radyo interview while claiming that a lot of other medical center physicians are behind him. Tirador went further to challenge Guerra to a debate, "anytime, anywhere."
Tirador claimed that the transactions entered into by Guerra with Himex Corporation were disadvantageous to the government.
He said the "lease to own" deal is purely unacceptable considering the exorbitant cost of the equipment.
Tirador also questioned why WVSUMC is fond of procuring hospital equipment on a direct contract basis when the most favorable mode is the open bidding scheme.
"I am truly shocked and saddened by all these," Guerra, for his part, began in a TNT interview.
"Our only intent here was to upgrade the services of the hospital in order to be of better service to our patients. All throughout Iloilo, we are the only hospital without a CT-scan and so all of these plans were thoroughly planned and appropriately discussed for months. They say they know of more advantageous deals for us, then where is it? Why complain only now? The procurement is above-board. We have the university legal counsel's legal opinion to back us up and the collective decision of our Bids and Awards Committee (BAC)."
Guerra went on to further explain how several offers were considered however the medical center is unable to meet the terms and conditions as set. The terms of payment for instance involved a significant cash outlay as deposit and succeeding installment plan.
"We cannot afford it. We do not have the money to afford us cheaper deals and so we considered the scheme that is acceptable to the government and one that is government-prescribed. We do not have the money like other private hospitals do," he continued while adding that to date, no official objection has been brought before the BAC.
Sentiments shared by the BAC officials who similarly said everything has been done to come up with an advantageous equipment buy for the medical center.
"We stand by our decision and we are all behind Dr. Guerra in this. We duly acted on the appeal for an upgrade of our hospital services and the delay will truly affect the hospital operations and our patients who need these services," BAC member, lady physician Patricia Tupas said.
She refused to make any further comment. Another lady BAC member who requested anonymity quipped, "our conscience are clean. I hope theirs are the same as well."