Apas execs to file plaint on seizure of medicines

AYUMAN

Officials of Barangay Apas, Cebu City, plan to file a complaint against the City Health Office at the regional Department of Health (DOH-7) for allegedly confiscating the medicines intended for their constituents.

Apas barangay chairman Ramil Ayuman claimed that the medicines given by the DOH to their barangay health center were confiscated by the City Health Office, an allegation denied by City Health Officer Dr. Alma Corpin.

“What were their grounds for confiscating it since the medicines were given by the DOH through their program?” Ayuman said.

Ayuman said DOH gave more than 4,600 medicines, including those for hypertension, to their health center. He said 100 residents went to their health center to ask for the medicines.

While admitting that the DOH usually courses their medicines to the City Health Office, Ayuman said the beneficiaries were listed at the health center.

He said a City Health Office doctor went to their barangay and confiscated the medicines.

Ayuman said the doctor told them that he was ordered by Dr. Corpin to take the medicines.

Ayuman said he and Dr. Corpin met regional DOH Director Dr. Jaime Bernadas and agreed that the medicines should be distributed by the barangay health workers.

Sought for comment, Corpin said she didn’t receive reports that the City Health Office confiscated medicines from barangay health centers.