On Black Suede Scandal: Health and Wellness coalition joins call for justice

The newly formed Health and Wellness Coalition in Cebu joins the clamor for justice and for proper sanctions to be imposed on the medical practitioners involved in the Black Suede Scandal at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC).

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Cebu provincial office director Nelia F. Navarro said that industry players in the health and wellness sector here, are worried of the long term effect of the issue to the world market, while Cebu is positioning as a preferred “Medical Tourism” destination.

The Health and Wellness Coalition is a group of industry players in the health and wellness, including medical tourism sectors, that are working together to promote Cebu in attracting sizeable number of medical tourists.

Navarro, who is one of the convenors of the coalition said that the group will meet to draft a “written statement” about the issue, in order to rescue the potential of Cebu to attract medical tourists.

The scandal involves a 39-year-old gay florist who had an operation at the VSMMC to remove a body spray inserted in his rectum after a night of sex with a stranger. Hospital’s doctors and medical staff videotaped the surgery and the footage was later uploaded on video sharing site YouTube.

“We are selling the Philippines as preferred Medical Tourism destination, Cebu specifically. We have been bragging about our niche as compassionate, caring, service with heart,” Navarro said adding that what happened is disgusting and a slap to the country’s reputation as whole.

According to Navarro, the scandal, which has been posted on the web will definitely smear, and discount the promotion of Cebu as a medical tourism destination.

Since 2006, Cebu industry players including concerned government agencies had been working very hard to promote medical tourism, but it only one “unprofessional” medical practice would ruin it all.

“We are still trying to scratch the surface of our huge potential in the medical tourism. This issue should be handled properly in order to protect the whole industry as well as the Philippines to the world’s impression,” Navarro said.

The health and wellness council or coalition will act strongly on this issue, and that the written statement will be out anytime this week, she said. —Ehda M. Dagooc