Doctors faking medical certificate may lose their license –PMA

The Philippine Medical Association (PMA) on Sunday said that doctors who fake the diagnosis of patients may face revocation of license.

“Maaari po namin silang tanggalin bilang miyembro (ng PMA) at pwede silang tanggalan ng lisensya ng PRC (Professional Regulation Commission),” said PMA president Dr. Jose Santiago in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV on Sunday.

A Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) official claimed that inmates who have money can buy hospital passes to be admitted in New Bilibid Prison (NBP) hospital.

NBP Hospital Corrections Technical Chief Inspector Ursicio Cenas denied the “hospital passes for sale” allegation, but admitted that some inmates offer money to doctors as gift.

For the PMA to start an investigation into doctors who are allegedly involved in selling hospital passes to inmates in the national penitentiary, Santiago said a complaint should be filed first before their association.

According to Santiago, intentionally giving inaccurate diagnosis to patients in medical certificates is a violation of PMA's code of ethics, adding that if a doctor is found guilty of such a fraud, the PMA may suspend the member.

Aside from this, Santiago said PMA can recommend the case to the PRC, the sole authorized agency to revoke professional license.

Santiago noted that the PMA has just amended its code of ethics that now includes outlines to discourage faking diagnosis in medical certificates and selling hospital passes following the controversy at the NBP.

“Hindi na namin kailangang mag-doktor ng dokumento, sapagkat kami ay doktor na po,” he said. —Joviland Rita/LBG, GMA News