Dialysis center company B. Braun Avitum on Thursday denied it was involved in anomalous transactions after a Senate investigation found it received millions of COVID-19 funding from Philippine Health Insurance Corp. even when it was not catering to coronavirus patients.
B. Braun Avitum Philippines was accused of receiving some P45 million through PhilHealth's interim reimbursement mechanism or IRM, while the hospitals filled with COVID-19 patients had yet to be refunded for their coronavirus-related expenses.
"Several statements were made about B. Braun Avitum Philippines Inc. (B. Braun Avitum) at the Philippine Senate Hearing on 4th August 2020 and 11th August 2020. The Company would like to respond to these statements by presenting the relevant facts,” the company’s statement said.
“As a medical technology company with a global history of 180 years and having served the Filipino people for 34 years, B. Braun holds itself strictly to the highest standards of integrity in all its business dealings. To B. Braun, Compliance is more than simply complying with laws and legal requirements. It also embraces the ethical values of integrity, fairness and sustainability. In each and every one of our business transactions, we adhere to the most stringent standards of integrity and professionalism.
“During the on-going pandemic, the funds made available through the Interim Reimbursement Mechanism to support the operations of all Philippine healthcare institutions (HCIs) have enabled B. Braun Avitum to continue to provide quality renal services to dialysis patients who require regular treatment. Such treatment must not be interrupted despite the coronavirus situation, as our patients’ lives will be compromised. Together with all other HCIs who have and are receiving IRM funds, B. Braun Avitum is deeply appreciative of the IRM funds received from PhilHealh.
“Our company was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 11th December 1985 as B. Braun Medical Supplies Inc., whereas, B. Braun Avitum, a wholly-owned subsidiary of B. Braun Medical Supplies Inc., was originally incorporated as Philippine Renal Care Inc. on 24th January 2002… and later renamed as B. Braun Avitum Philippines. Inc.
“B. Braun Avitum owns and manages 25 dialysis centers across Luzon to treat patients requiring renal care.
“We are one with the government in its quest for transparency and good governance, and will extend full cooperation in this endeavor,” said the statement read signed by its company Corporate Communications Ma. Cecilia Victoria Cannon.
The company, however, did not explain why its dialysis center received funds intended for COVID-19 patients.
The incorporators of the company are expected to be summoned to the Senate next week to answer why one of its accounts in the Balanga Rural Bank received some P9.7 million from PhilHealth.
