Palace official takes personal interest in ‘surgery scandal’

MANILA, Philippines - Saying the incident happened in his home province, a Malacañang official said Saturday he has taken a personal interest in the Cebu surgery scandal. Presidential Management Staff (PMS) head Cerge Remonde said he was "scandalized" over the incident where a video of a rectal operation was taken and uploaded it on the Internet. "Ako I am scandalized by that also. Siguro I will take the initiative to issue a memorandum to Sec. Duque to investigate the incident because it happened in a government hospital (Personally speaking, I am scandalized over the incident. I will issue a memorandum to health secretary Francisco Duque III to investigate the incident because it happened in a government hospital)," Remonde said on government-run dzRB radio. He added those found responsible "should be appropriately penalized." But he did not elaborate on what his instructions would be. The health department is already investigating the operation last Jan. 3 at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center. Earlier, the Philippine Medical Association asked Congress for more teeth so it can help regulate the medical profession. PMA vice president Ray Melchor Santos particularly sought PMA membership to it as a requirement for practicing medicine in the country. "Sana ang PMA parang Integrated Bar of the Philippines na no one can practice law without being an IBP member, para magkaroon kami ng ngipin (We want to be like the IBP where no one can practice law without being an IBP member)," Santos said in an interview on dzRH radio. He said doctors who are sanctioned for violating the code of ethics of physicians merely "get out of our jurisdiction" and continue practicing. Santos said that if the PMA were to have the same status as the IBP where no physician can practice without being a PMA member, the medical industry could regulate itself. "Otherwise they just get out of PMA," he said. He said the incident, where medical practitioners took a video of a rectal surgery and uploaded it on the Internet, has also shaken the faith of even Filipino patients in doctors. Santos said the surgery scandal particularly affected medial tourism, which the government is now promoting. "Unfortunately we are trying to build up the Philippine physicians internationally. This sets another stain to the integrity of the Filipino physician," he said. "How do we expect patients to have same trust sa doctor? ... Kasama ang human dignity and patients' rights (How do we expect patients to maintain trust in their doctors? What happened was a violation of the patients' rights)," he added. Santos said the PMA has the power to investigate such incidents, especially if they become public. But he said the PMA's present jurisdiction is more on administrative sanctions, including suspension or revocation of membership with PMA. At worst, he said it could affect the physicians' PhilHealth benefits, which require PMA membership. He said it is only the Department of Health and Professional Regulation Commission that can suspend doctors' licenses. - GMANews.TV