Estrada confined at Asian Hospital

Government lawyers did not object yesterday to a recommendation made by former President Joseph Estrada’s physician to confine him indefinitely at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center (AHMC) in Muntinlupa City due to multiple slipped discs, a condition that can leave him paralyzed if left untreated.

Estrada was transferred to the AHMC in Alabang, Muntinlupa City at 4 p.m. yesterday from Makati Medical Center (MMC), where he underwent tests to determine the source of his recurrent severe back pains.

"It would be most inhuman if (we) let him return to his detention in mountainous Camp Capinpin (if he needs) further examination… If that is the case, we will not object," said Special Prosecutor Dennis Villa Ignacio.

Villa Ignacio said they will wait for the report of Estrada’s attending physicians and doctors who conducted the tests to be submitted to the Sandiganbayan, where he is on trial for corruption.

Dr. Benjamin Adapon of the MMC’s magnetic resonance imaging department said the computerized tomography (CT) scan and MRI results showed "torn ligaments on both knees, particularly in the left thigh."

"There is also marked osteoarthritis in the left knee. At the same time, we saw multiple disc protrusions — commonly called slipped discs — that add to the pain complaints of the patient. We think the patient should be hospitalized for treatment."

Doctors at the MMC said they cannot give a specific timetable for the length of Estrada’s confinement — this will depend on day-to-day developments on his health.

Estrada was due for an x-ray examination yesterday but this has been reset for today due to his complaints of severe pain.

"We will take this step-by-step. After the two examinations, he could not be brought to the x-ray room because it is really exhausting for him," said orthopedic specialist Dr. Antonio Calanoc.

Attending doctors said Estrada’s knee condition precipitated the degeneration of his spine.

Dr. Lorenzo Jocson, a long-time family doctor of the Estradas, said they suspect Estrada has been suffering from a slipped disc for the past four to six weeks. He said Estrada was suffering from such severe back pains he could no longer move.

He recommended Estrada’s confinement at AHMC because the hospital specializes in treating spinal problems.

Jocson, who heads the San Juan Medical Center, said Estrada’s condition is treatable. "Surgery might be an option for the slipped discs later, but for the knee definitely" an operation is needed, but the two operations cannot be done at the same time because Estrada will not be able to take it, he said.

He added that Estrada will need extreme care because a lump was detected in his back, which may paralyze the former president’s legs.

Jocson blamed the Arroyo administration for Estrada’s health problems, saying that Estrada’s operation should have been allowed earlier.

While Estrada had been detained at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center, he did not receive proper care, Jocson said, noting that the former president was confined to his own room. Estrada, he said, was not allowed to take long walks nor be exposed to sunlight in the morning.

Chief Superintendent Prospero Noble, who is in charge of providing security for Estrada, said they will comply with doctors’ recommendations and assured he and his men will provide "ample" protection for the deposed leader during his confinement at AHMC.

Noble belongs to the Philippine National Police Civil Security Group.

When asked if the Sandiganbayan will pose an objection, Noble said he thinks "there will be none because it is already the team of experts who have conducted the medical examination. But I did not expect that he would be confined."

The National Capital Region Police Office, San Juan and Makati police sent several policemen to ensure Estrada’s safety while he was at the MMC.