MANILA, April 2 -- Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Ted Herbosa on Tuesday assured lawmakers that the agency will strengthen its campaign against bullying among doctors and patients in hospitals.

In a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Herbosa said steps have been undertaken to stop bullying in hospitals, such as putting up posters to inform medical workers, as well as patients, about their rights.

"We will issue an administrative order to put up notices even in emergency rooms," he said.

Herbosa said the DOH has also set up a bullying crisis hotline: 1553, or 09190571553 and 09178998727.

He also noted that a survey by the DOH in hospitals was able to confirm four cases of bullying out of 26 reported....