Cebu surgery scandal alarms medical college

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine College of Surgeons (PCS) has expressed alarm over the possible implications of the Cebu surgery scandal to other Filipino doctors that are employed locally and overseas. “The PCS expresses its deep concern over the unfortunate incident that revealed apparent unbecoming behavior during the performance of a surgical procedure," PCS president Armando Crisostomo said. The doctor assured the public that the incident at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) was an isolated case and does not reflect the general practice of surgeons. He was referring to the incident involving a patient at VSMMC whose rectal surgery ended up in the popular video-sharing website, YouTube. The footage showed the surgeon and nurses giggling and cheering while a perfume canister was being removed from his rectum after it got stuck there following a sexual encounter. “The organization wishes to assure the public that such conduct is not the norm and that its members are expected to practice with the highest standards of professionalism, to strictly respect the patients’ right to privacy and to uphold their dignity at all times in accordance with the PCS Code of Ethics," Crisostomo said. The Department of Health had already issued a show-cause order against the doctors and other medical practitioners involved in the incident. If found guilty, the involved medical practitioners will face possible revocation of their licenses by the Professional Regulations Commission. - GMANews.TV