B. Braun Avitum Philippines Incorporated, a chain of dialysis centers tagged in a controversy over PhilHealth advanced payments, responded to allegations of irregularity, saying funds it received from the state insurer went into services for dialysis patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Senate investigative hearings on August 4 and 11, Lacson said 5 branches of B. Braun Avitum received a total of more than P45 million from PhilHealth’s. The amount was part of some P226 million in IRM funds PhilHealth paid to freestanding dialysis centers. “Such treatment must not be interrupted despite the coronavirus situation, as our patients’ lives will be compromised,” the company added. It then expressed appreciation of “the IRM funds received from PhilHealth.”B. Braun Avitum said its parent company, B. Braun, has been in operation for 180 years, and it entered the Philippines 34 years ago. B. Braun Avitum owns and manages 25 dialysis centers across Luzon, it said.
Lacson showed reporters an SEC certificate that stated “B. Braun Avitum Dialysis Inc” is not a registered corporation, and it only had “B. Braun Medical Supplies Inc” on record.