WVSUMC hospital staff rally behind Guerra
Iloilo -- After weeks of silence, hundreds of hospital workers and medical staff of the West Visayas State University Medical Center (WVSUMC) came out to issue a public statement and address the controversies hounding the administration.
Basic points were raised - all-out support to the leadership of Dr. Ramon Guerra, condemnation to the actions of another physician, Dr. Louie Tirador and disappointment, to say the least, on the "political" turn of events.
"For the past three weeks, our hospital has been in the center of controversy. Dr. Guerra is being wrongfully accused of graft and corruption among other things. We dare these people if indeed their intentions are for public welfare, to come out in the open and provide concrete proofs that he committed such a crime," the statement began. "Where are the documents that can establish the accuracy of these allegations? Let us put this fight in the proper forum. These allegations have unjustly smeared the reputation of not only our Director but of our hospital as well."
To recall, the issues stemmed from the acquisition of hospital equipment brought by Tirador to the media's attention. Tirador charged then that the lease-to-own scheme as embraced by the WVSUMC is tainted with many questions.
In a series of meetings and BAC decisions however, the plan was sealed with no official objection raised thus far before the BAC body nor any Court action that would prevent equipment delivery.
"These facilities are very important and vital for diagnosis and guide for therapeutic intervention. We would not want that hospital operations be paralyzed or patients be left unattended for lack of it," the statement continued. "We are trying to change the concept wherein government facilities are substandard in nature as if the less fortunate sectors of society do not deserve to avail of such."
With some 400 signatories, the two-page statement obtained by The News Today (TNT) derided as well hospital critics as it went on to call for the ouster the highest official of the Board of Regents (BOR).
"Think of the countless people that can be helped and saved if these equipment can be found in the hospital. Think of the countless people that cannot be helped and saved if these equipment cannot be found in the hospital," it further went while adding, "we condemn the act of Dr. Louie Tirador who publicly and unfairly declared that there were irregularities in the acquisition of these equipment. Based on how he played it out with the media, we have the impression that he has no trust and confidence with this institution and is after the ouster of our Hospital Director. Such action does not merit his continued association with the hospital."
And the group's message to politicians now joining the frenzy?
"We are saddened with how politics came into the picture exerting its influence and creating further chaos. We do not want the Board of Regents, a conglomeration of respected and noble people to be dictated by anybody whose intention is against the welfare of the people," it added. While no names were mentioned, TNT learned from hospital insiders that discontent is brewing against Fourth District Congressman Ferjinel Biron. This, after a phone call was disclosed in a BOR meeting where Biron reportedly ''threatened" the hospital officials with a congressional inquiry if they do not stop the equipment acquisition.
"Where is our legal basis to do that? We have all the documents that state how the plan is free from legal impediment. We have an enforceable Memorandum of Agreement. And just because of a phone call and verbal instruction we do away with what is right and bow down to what one person wants? I hope Congressman Biron could back up his objection and be able to explain to the people why he wants this stopped," one hospital insider who requested anonymity said. "He is a physician himself. He knows how many lives we can save with these equipment. But better yet, maybe he can donate a portion of his wealth or pork barrel for the hospital's needs."
The statement ended with a call for the ouster of BOR chairman Luningning Umar with the signatories stating Umar has proven to be "incapable of a position of such distinction by allowing herself to be used and influenced by someone whose self-interest is over and above the interest of the public whom he has supposedly chosen to serve."
TNT learned that the government stands to pay P75,000 daily for warehousing dues should the WVSUMC fails to issue Letters of Credit as so provided in the MOA. Further still, the supplier will be forced to shut down the X-Ray system currently being used at no cost to the hospital should the project fail to be enforced as agreed.