Pacific International Hospital responds to query on fees, doctor’s qualifications

By LULU MARK
THE Pacific International Hospital (PIH) ensures that patients are given the right care by certified medical professionals, according to a statement from the hospital.
It was in response to questions raised by Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika on the fees charged by private hospitals and the qualifications of foreign doctors working there.
Sir Gibbs told the ceremonial sitting for the late Justice Nicholas Kirriwom, who died at PIH after being admitted there on Feb 23 at around 10pm, that the hospital had demanded an up-front deposit of K25,000 before they could attend to him.
The hospital yesterday said it “never holds any treatment for want of fees”.
“The treatment is immediately commenced, as was done in case of the late Justice Kirriwom,” the statement said. “The late Justice Kirriwom never paid any deposit at the time of admission.
“They (family members) were advised to pay next day, which they did.
“However, as a private hospital, the patient/attendants of non-sponsored patients (not sponsored by a corporate or insurance company) are advised of the likely estimate of charges that are likely to be incurred.
“(This is) especially in the case of Covid-19 patients where the costs involved are higher in terms of infection control, frequent diagnostics and specialised medicines.”
The hospital noted that there had been many cases of patients walking away after getting well without paying the hospital bills. Thus, a deposit was required.
“In the case of corporate or insured patients, the insurance company or employer takes the responsibility,” the hospital said. The hospital said Justice Kirriwom was treated at another private hospital before he came to the PIH after his condition deteriorated.
“He recovered from the Covid-19 and was discharged (but) later readmitted with fresh ailments,” it said.
It said foreign and national doctors permitted to practice in PNG had been “thoroughly screened by the Medical Board of PNG.”