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14 LA UNION
Health and Dignity
La Union Medical Center
MEDICAL and health services have become so expensive, many
Filipinos can’t afford them. But the poor in La Union can worry less about
getting sick because there is a hospital that would not send them away—
the La Union Medical Center (LUMC).
No More Doleouts
The high cost of medical and health services has made them unaffordable
to the poor. The poor, for their part, expect free services.
Under the LUMC Economic Enterprise for Sustainability and
Development Program even the poor in La Union can afford tertiary
medical services. The hospital is equipped with the most modern
laboratories and facilities, and equipment for complete hematology test
and blood analysis; for tumor, hepatitis and thyroid marking; and for
hemodialysis—all costly medical processes and treatment. Other tertiary
hospital services that have been provided to them are neuro-surgery,
cancer surgery, orthopedic cases, intensive care unit, urology, dialysis
and kidney transplant.
Patients are categorized into Classes A to D. Class A and B patients
pay for the services in full. Class C patients get discounts of 25-75%.
Class D patients pay in kind. This practice has been adopted in order
to discourage the “doleout mentality”. The hospital allows relatives and
friends of Class D patients to do odd jobs like cleaning the hospital
premises or watering plants. Or they donate blood, fruits or vegetables.
If the cost of the patient’s hospitalization is P50,000 and he or she
donates only a basket of fruits or vegetables, then that’s it. The amount
not paid is considered “quantified free service”. Since 2002 the quantified
free services have amounted to P36 million.
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