Poging GOUD - Vrij
Advocates urge focus on universal health care, funding
The Freeman
|August 13, 2025
A viral complaint about a doctor’s professional fees has sparked an online debate that seems to pit doctors against patients. However, advocates and medical practitioners say the real problem lies in systemic gaps in healthcare policy and funding, which leave patients burdened with high costs and doctors underpaid.
-
Health advocate Tony Leachon echoed this view, saying the viral post is not just an attack on one doctor. Rather, it reflects a lack of understanding of the value of medical service, where blame is shifted onto doctors instead of systemic neglect.
"This is about a culture that vilifies those who serve, while ignoring the institutions that fail them," he said in a Facebook post on Monday, August 11.
For many doctors in the Philippines, Leachon said, the day stretches into night to early morning inside crowded, understaffed wards. And even when faced with patients who cannot afford medical services, doctors offer to cut their professional fees or waive them altogether.
"They do this not because they are obligated to — but because they care. Because they honor the Hippocratic Oath. Because they believe in service. ‘And yet, they are the ones being shamed," he added.
What happened. The argument came after a Facebook post by broadcaster Ramon Tulfo, who claimed a surgeon charged P85,000 in professional fees to treat a patient with a diabetic leg wound, went viral.
Despite raising P350,000, Tulfo said the family still needed to pay an additional P139,000 because of the high fee. He also stood by his posts, even after healthcare professionals issued statements to defend the doctor in question.
Medical organizations and associations disputed the claim, saying Tulfo’s post relied on unverified information. They clarified that the fee was reduced to about P45,000 for inpatient treatment of over 20 days.
PROFESSIONAL FEES
Leachon said that doctors, like any other professionals, deserve fair compensation for their work. Charging a professional fee, he added, is neither unfair nor unjust, as doctors even consider a patient’s socioeconomic status and financial capacity.
Dit verhaal komt uit de August 13, 2025-editie van The Freeman.
Abonneer u op Magzter GOLD voor toegang tot duizenden zorgvuldig samengestelde premiumverhalen en meer dan 9000 tijdschriften en kranten.
Bent u al abonnee? Aanmelden
MEER VERHALEN VAN The Freeman
The Freeman
LUCKY BLING
\"The best surprises don't wait in far-off places; they're hiding in yards, gardens, parks, even in the jumble of toys and galaxies at our feet.
2 mins
October 23, 2025
The Freeman
Council probes missing fees in night market operations
The Cebu City Council continues to dig deeper into the alleged irregularities involving the night market operations—this time, on its previous collections—where an executive session is being called to look into the operations of the former Colon Night Markets, specifically to determine why no special permit fees were collected by the City.
3 mins
October 23, 2025
The Freeman
Frasco eyes airport in Sogod but Pam tags it “ridiculous”
Frasco said the envisioned facility would serve as a backup to the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) in the event it becomes inoperable due to natural disasters or emergencies.
3 mins
October 23, 2025

The Freeman
Thunder, Warriors triumph in NBA season-opener
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder launched the defense of their NBA crown with a thrilling 125-124 triple-overtime victory over the Houston Rockets.
1 min
October 23, 2025
The Freeman
Visayan Electric reduces rate for residential clients
Residential customers of Visayan Electric can expect lower electricity bills this month, following a P1/kWh reduction in rates for the October-November billing cycle.
1 mins
October 23, 2025
The Freeman
CCENRO installs trash trap along Mahiga River
In a renewed push to safeguard Cebu City’s waterways, the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) have installed a new trash trap along Mahiga River, marking a strategic revival of the city’s river waste interception program.
1 mins
October 23, 2025
The Freeman
DepEd supports TBA Studios' historical film 'Quezon'
The Department of Education (DepEd) has expressed its support for TBA Studios' historical film “Quezon.”
1 min
October 23, 2025

The Freeman
Act on PhilHealth fund transfer case, SC urged
Former Bayan Muna representatives have asked the Supreme Court to immediately decide on consolidated petitions questioning the transfer of P89.9 billion in excess funds from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to the national treasury.
1 mins
October 23, 2025
The Freeman
'Stealth husband' of Japan's new PM vows quiet support
The spouse of Japan’s first woman Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi hopes to support her by being a “stealth husband”, cooking meals but staying out of the spotlight.
2 mins
October 23, 2025
The Freeman
City receives P4.4M as share from PCSO's lotto proceeds
The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Cebu Branch has turned over P4,462,015.66 in lotto proceeds to the Cebu City Government, representing the city's share for two consecutive semesters.
1 min
October 23, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size