Health, Women comms tackle proposed ‘Right to Care’ ordinance

The joint City Council committees on health and on women and family relation respectively chaired by Councilors Paolo Nicolo Gaane and Desiree Ann Dahino tackled the proposed ordinance institutionalizing the “Right to Care” Program.

This ordinance seeks to recognize health care proxies and uphold the right of competent adults to designate a trusted person to act on their behalf in health care matters during periods of incapacity.

It aims to provide individuals or patients with greater autonomy in making decisions about their health care by allowing them to choose a trusted representative who can assist in making or communicating health care decisions when they are no longer capable of doing so themselves.

One of the highlights of the discussion was the concern raised by Councilor Dahino regarding possible disagreements between the patient and the designated trusted person, and to clarify how such conflicts would be addressed under the proposed measure.

In response, Remy Labiano, focal person of Gender and Development (GAD), emphasized that the patient’s demands should be respected, even when the patient is near dying. He stressed that it is important to develop a comprehensive guide that would establish clear procedures and mechanisms for addressing potential conflicts and other concerns that may arise during the implementation of the ordinance.

Meanwhile, Councilor Yevonna Yacine Emano also raised concern regarding the extent and duration of authority granted to a designated health care proxy.

Emano sought clarification on when an authorized person’s authority ceases, how far the authority extends, and what happens if the designated person no longer wishes to serve in that capacity.

Labiano clarified that the patient may cancel the designation, emphasizing the patient’s right to withdraw the authority previously granted.

“In such circumstance, there must be a mechanism to review the proxy’s conduct and refer the matter to appropriate authority, and this should be included in the proposed ordinance,” he said.

The committee will continue its discussion of the proposed ordinance, with recommendations raised during the deliberations to be incorporated into the measure. (JBD/SP)