PNP Hospital admits lack of equipment to conduct Jinggoy's check-up

The Philippine National Police General Hospital (PNPGH) lacks the medical equipment to conduct some of the medical examinations Sen. Jinggoy Estrada wishes to undergo, the hospital told the Sandiganbayan court hearing the senator's plea for bail.

In a two-page letter, PNP Health Service Director Chief Superintendent Teresita Dumlao told the Fifth Division said the PNPGH "can provide for the ECG, radiology examinations and laboratory examinations. However, stress Echo pulmonary function test and endoscopy examinations are not available."

In an order issued last week, the Fifth Division has directed the PNPGH to inform the court if it has the medical facilities for several check-ups that Estrada, detained in connection with the pork barrel scam, has requested to undergo for three days at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC) in Greenhills, San Juan City.

The court sought the PNPGH's side on Estrada's request after the prosecution panel argued that these medical procedures can be done at the PNPGH instead of a private hospital.

In a motion recently submitted to the Fifth Division, Estrada informed the court that he has been experiencing light-headedness and acid refluxes recently and requested to be allowed to seek medical examinations at CSMC.

Estrada said his attending physician advised him to undergo the examination procedures on his heart and gastrointestinal tract as light-headedness and acid refluxes could be symptoms of a cardiac disease and gastrointestinal etiology, also more commonly known as gastrointestinal bleeding.

Among the examinations that Estrada requested to undergo were electro-cardiogram (ECG), 2D Echo, ultrasound, CT scan, x-ray, blood chesmistry tests and endoscopy as well as consultations with pulmonologist, urologist and ophthalmologist.

Estrada is currently detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City, for plunder and graft charges in connection with his alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam. His petition to post bail is being heard at the Fifth Division since July 2014.

Following the court's receipt of the PNPGH's comment, Estrada's furlough plea is now deemed submitted for resolution. —KBK, GMA News