Gavin Finch
@gavinfinch.bsky.social
Investigations reporter at Bloomberg News in London
The hospital in the Philippines said it had not detained anyone illegally and always followed the law. The Ugandan facility said it would never deny anyone emergency medical care.
January 17, 2025 at 4:18 PM
The hospital in the Philippines said it had not detained anyone illegally and always followed the law. The Ugandan facility said it would never deny anyone emergency medical care.
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Patients Detained, Denied Care at Hospitals Funded by World Bank
Billions of taxpayer dollars invested in for-profit facilities from Africa to Asia were supposed to improve access to healthcare. But stories of abuses have piled up.
www.bloomberg.com
January 17, 2025 at 3:20 PM
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The IFC said it has rigorous protocols for protecting patients. Yet acknowledged it didn’t look into whether hospitals in Uganda, the Philippines and elsewhere engaged in patient detentions before investing even though allegations about the practice have been widely documented.
January 17, 2025 at 3:20 PM
The IFC said it has rigorous protocols for protecting patients. Yet acknowledged it didn’t look into whether hospitals in Uganda, the Philippines and elsewhere engaged in patient detentions before investing even though allegations about the practice have been widely documented.
The IFC wouldn't say how many hospitals it funds. But Bloomberg identified more than 20, and at least four of them barred patients from leaving after their treatments ended until they could pay their bills — a practice illegal in many countries.
January 17, 2025 at 3:20 PM
The IFC wouldn't say how many hospitals it funds. But Bloomberg identified more than 20, and at least four of them barred patients from leaving after their treatments ended until they could pay their bills — a practice illegal in many countries.
Another IFC-backed hospital in Uganda left a one-year old who was struggling to breathe in reception for about 30 mins until a credit card was produced and she was finally admitted. When she was well enough to leave, the hospital wouldn't discharge her until her bills were paid.
January 17, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Another IFC-backed hospital in Uganda left a one-year old who was struggling to breathe in reception for about 30 mins until a credit card was produced and she was finally admitted. When she was well enough to leave, the hospital wouldn't discharge her until her bills were paid.
One hospital in the Philippines, part of a chain that got a $100 million IFC loan, cut off medications to a patient who couldn't walk after he fell behind on payments and detained him for six days until he settled a $12,000 bill.
January 17, 2025 at 3:20 PM
One hospital in the Philippines, part of a chain that got a $100 million IFC loan, cut off medications to a patient who couldn't walk after he fell behind on payments and detained him for six days until he settled a $12,000 bill.