PB wants probe result on alleged malpractice

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Board wants a copy of the result of the investigation conducted by the local health authorities into the alleged medical malpractice at Mandaue City Hospital that resulted in the death of a patient three weeks ago.

PB Member Thadeo Ouano sponsored a resolution requesting the Department of Health-7, Philippine National Police Regional Crime Laboratory-7, Commission on Human Rights-7, and the Mandaue City Hospital of the result of the investigation.

“It is a primordial importance to secure and maintain hospital service integrity despite the magnitude of hospital patients, to achieve establishing trust to the very institution founded for a specific purpose to preserve health and save lives,” read Ouano’s resolution.

 Jocelyn Coliflores died on January 2 while being treated at the Mandaue City District Hospital only for headache.  A video of the patient posted on the Internet showed Coliflores in a hysterical behavior. It allegedly happened 30 minutes after a medicine was administered to her.

Ouano found the conflicting causes of death as the hospital’s death certificate stated that the patient died from “probable ruptured cerebral aneurysm” while the autopsy findings say that the patient died of “sudden cardiac arrest” and “left ventricular hypertrophy.”

The patient’s husband, Cesar Coliflores, has already sought the assistance of CHR-7, alleging that his wife was a victim of “malpractice” by the attending physician.

CHR-7 legal officer Gazzelenne Corsame-Fuentes referred the matter to the DOH-7.

“We had interviewed the complainant regarding her case and we find that it is beyond our assigned task or authority to take the matter up with our legal department,” read the CHR-7 letter to the DOH-7.

Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes also instructed the hospital to conduct an investigation to be assisted by the City Legal Office.

The results, Cortes said, will help the city determine the next step to take. The DOH-7 will also launch a separate fact-finding investigation. (FREEMAN)