Republic Act No. 8344 does not allow hospitals or any of it staff or physicians to require or advance payment before treating a patient who is in a life threatening or emergency situation. The law requires that death and permanent disability should be prevented and that neither lack of money on the part of the patient nor lack of sufficient facilities of the hospital may prevent the rendering of the necessary emergency treatment. In case of inadequacy of medical facilities, the appropriate emergency treatment and support should be rendered to stabilize the patient before transferring him or her to a more appropriate facility.