Katrina wants Belo clinics closed

MANILA, Philippines - Actress Katrina Halili filed yesterday an administrative complaint at the Department of Health (DOH) seeking the nullification of the license of the Belo Medical Group Inc. (BMGI), owned by Dr. Vicki Belo, for allowing controversial cosmetic surgeon Dr. Hayden Kho to practice surgery although he was not qualified to perform the operation.

In a two-page complaint, Halili asked the DOH to revoke the license to operate as ambulatory surgical clinic of BMGI located at Suite 901 Medical Plaza Building, Amorsolo corner De la Rosa street, Legaspi Village, Makati City.

Halili and Kho became embroiled in a sex scandal when videotapes of their intimate moments circulated on the Internet and in pirated DVDs sold by sidewalk vendors nationwide.

The camp of Halili had accused Belo, Kho and several others of uploading the sex videos on the Internet.

Halili’s lawyer Raymund Palad said that BMGI, owned by Kho’s ex-girlfriend Dr. Ma. Victoria Belo-Henares, had violated the DOH’s Administrative Order No. 183 when it allowed Kho to practice cosmetic surgery, especially a liposuction on Halili, although he “lacks the qualification, training and specialization” to do so.

“He passed the Medical Board examination sometime in February 2007 but the liposuction surgery on Katrina was done in August 2007,” Palad told DOH reporters.

Palad said this means that Kho has not met the minimum four-year training as a “diplomate” or resident to be able to conduct surgical procedures, especially liposuction.

“This complaint is against the clinic in particular. This should be a wake-up call to all clinics to hire only competent, qualified and well-trained doctors and medical personnel,” he added.

Halili said she did not know that Kho was not qualified when the procedure was performed and it was only lately when she was informed about this. The actress appeared hesitant to answer questions.

The complaint showed that BMGI has failed to “maintain the standards and technical requirements as provided for under AO No. 183 or the Rules and Regulations Governing the Licensure and Regulation of Ambulatory Surgical Clinics of the DOH.”

“Dra. Belo’s reckless acts failed to meet the standards and technical requirements under Administrative Order. No. 183 s. 2004 which requires that BMGI appoints and allocates personnel who are suitably qualified, skilled and/or experienced to provide the service and meets the patients’ needs,” it further stated.