A case similar to Jan-Jan’s happened last year

The editorials of the Philippine Star and The Freeman last Sunday hit the nail right on the head about the troubles we have in the medical profession. Here’s an excerpt from The Philippine Star editorial:

 “Nursing graduates, cheating in their board exams, kidneys for sale, and an unusual rectal surgery uploaded on YouTube. Now this: A Filipino doctor has been arrested in Guam for swindling while a US court has ordered a Philippine health care company to return $100 million it had helped American Veterans claim fraudulently from the US military over the past decade.

The Philippine health care community needs a drastic housecleaning. Already crippled by the continuing departure of nurses, doctors and other medical workers for higher paying jobs overseas, the health care sector is facing serious questions of ethics that can tarnish those in the majority who are competent, dedicated and professional… The health care industry—and the country— should see every scandal as an opportunity to implement corrective measures and long-term reforms.” Now allow me to quote from The Freeman.

 “The surgery scandal at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center seems to exonerate Teri Hatcher whom we once condemned for her statement that seems to malign the Philippine’s medical profession. It was Hatcher, one of the lady icons behind the phenomenal hit “Desperate Housewives,” who, in one episode of the comedy show, stated that she would look into the credentials of the doctor—whom a friend recommended to her—to see whether that medical practitioner comes from “some med schools in the Philippines.” 

 The Philippine Star and The Freeman belong to the same Philstar Group of Companies, but their editorials are totally independent of each other. Call it a coincidence that last Sunday the two editorials tackled the problems in the medical profession. Yes, I still remember what a howl we made when Teri Hatcher made that off the cuff remark and got the ire of the Filipino as nation. Yet, we move merely along as if we didn’t have problems in the medical profession. We do and we need to fix these problems ASAP!

I learned that an incident similar to what happened at the VSMMC also happened at a prestigious private hospital a year ago, but this was hushed to the point of this becoming a State Secret. While I did get a few details, I too will zip my mouth on this affair. Hence the Jan-Jan incident wasn’t really the first time it happened here in Cebu. Surely there’s more in other hospitals. I got this email response from a reader from New York City.

 “Dear Mr. Avila: I hope you still remember me. I was the nurse-attorney based here in New York who sent you an email several months ago and I thank you for printing my email. I read your article in The Freeman regarding the OR controversy over at VSMMC. I agree with your view that to seek for the revocation of licenses of those involved is too harsh a punishment. I say this not because I used to work at VSMMC as a staff nurse nor because I know one of the involved staff, but I say this from the legal perspective.

Sure, there are obvious lapses on the part of VSMMC personnel and administration, however, their case does not merit the ultimate penalty of license revocation. While they may have a losing case in the court of public opinion, however, their case is not indefensible. Here are some of my observations:

 1. Who uploaded the video on YouTube? Is it the VSMMC personnel? Or was it authorized by VSMMC? Certainly, it was not uploaded by VSMMC personnel nor was the act of uploading authorized by VSMMC. The fellow who uploaded it is not even an employee of VSMMC. While VSMMC had control of whoever gets in and out of the OR, it had no control over the acts of the person who uploaded it on YouTube.

2. Was Jan-Jan identifiable in the YouTube video? If not, how can he then claim that it was him on that video or that his reputation was besmirched because of the video? By just looking at it, a third person would never know who the patient was. Unless, as what happened in this case, Jan-Jan came forward and identified himself as the patient.

While this whole controversy would surely put VSMMC in a bad light, I hope a lot of lesson has been learned here – for VSMMC to update their policies, for the staff to be more respectful of patient’s rights and for the public in general for a greater awareness, respect and acceptance of the rights and dignity of gays, lesbians and transgender who may have another lifestyle preference different from what they have. Best regards, Marco F. G. Tomakin, RN.”

Perhaps the bigger problem that the VSMMC faces is lack of funding. I gathered that they don’t even have proper surgical gowns. It just makes me wonder what other “woes” can be found in this medical facility. Perhaps it is time for the Department of Health (DOH) to consider giving this facility to be run by the Province of Cebu. Knowing how Gov. Gwen Garcia runs a tight ship, I have no doubt that she can turn things around at the VSMMC.