Husband demands for wife's medical records

CEBU, Philippines - The camp of Cesar Coliflores, the husband of the patient who died of alleged medical malpractice at Mandaue City Hospital, demanded for his wife's medical records from the hospital management.

Coliflores executed the "Due Release of Medical Records" of his wife Jocelyn and a request for a "complete, full and impartial investigation" as well as "preventive suspension" against Dr. Maria Antoinette Alcantara and the medical staff who assisted her during Jocelyn's confinement.

A 20-minute closed-door discussion took place yesterday between hospital chief Dr. Maria Lourdes Espinosa and Coliflores' camp.

Lawyer Inocencio De la Cerna Jr, legal counsel of Coliflores, said pertinent medical documents such as medical abstract, discharge of summary and medical certificate are among the requests addressed to Dr. Espinosa yesterday but the former would only reportedly release some of the requested documents.

"Naay documents nga they are insisting nga di gyud kuno nila ihatag. On the other hand, ang katung sa chart nga entries, they are  giving us the abstract but ang amo is, you give us everything so that we can ask other consultants ani niya kung sakto ba to ang nahitabo," De la Cerna told the reporters yesterday.

Since the hospital chief did not give any statement, De la Cerna said they have already initiated a letter to the Department of Health so that they can conduct necessary investigation on the patient's case.

Elizabeth Tabasa, DOH-7 officer-in-charge, earlier said a separate fact-finding team from the department will get to study the case.

Meanwhile, Coliflores' camp also sent a letter-request to the Mandaue City government and DOH, seeking, among others, a 60-day preventive suspension against Dr. Alcantara and the rest of the medical staff who attended to Jocelyn.

"We will just wait as to what is their response to our preventive suspension request," De la Cerna said.

A homicide case will be also filed those involved if MCH management's replies will not satisfy the family.

"Whatever reason nga maka-convince niya not to pursue the case, it's up to him but as of now, there are so many questions to be answered, and I hope all persons involved will be able to assist us in seeking the answers to the questions," De la Cerna said.

For his part, Coliflores was dismayed that MCH could only release a few records.

"Wala pa ko natagbaw sa ilahang gisulti nga naa ba sila’y kulang nga dokumento unya dili daw nila ihatag. Sigon sa akong abogado nga dapat gyud ihatag tanan nga dokumento para makahatag og kalinaw ug katagbawan sa akong kaugalingon," Coliflores said.

Coliflores also said he will not back out from pursuing legal recourse for the death of his wife.

"Ato nalang sa unahon ang pagtan-aw kung unsaon paghatag og hustisya sa akong asawa. Una, niuli ko gikan Saudi gumikan sa dali nga kamatayon sa akong asawa.Wala’y klaro nga explanation kung unsa gyud tinuod nga nahitabo sa akong asawa," he said.

Coliflores' wife died on January 2 at MCH, 30 minutes after two vials of medicine meant to treat urinary tract infection were injected into her dextrose.

Her relatives have earlier claimed that Jocelyn only had recurring fever when she was admitted to the hospital. — (FREEMAN)