Family ponders filing charges vs. doctor

CEBU, Philippines - The family of a man who died in a traffic accident almost two weeks ago is contemplating filing criminal charges against a surgeon at the Mandaue City Hospital.

The family and relatives of Glenn Pamplona, 35, of sitio Wireless in barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City is thinking of filing criminal charges against Dr. Antonnette Alcantara, an internist at the Mandaue City Hospital for her alleged failure to advise the patient to undergo a CT scan or confinement at the hospital.

Edward Pamplona, Glenn's brother, told The FREEMAN yesterday the family is now gathering evidence for the filing of charges against the doctor.

Chief of Hospital Dr. Oscar Quirante said Alcantara will welcome any investigation.

Pamplona said that around past 4 p.m. last October 9, Glenn was driving his motorcycle on his way to his house at Queenly Homes Subdivision in barangay Tabok from his house in Wireless, Subangdaku.

Under the skywalk along M. C. Briones Street in barangay Tipolo, Pamplona's motorcycle bumped a jeepney, with plate number GWF-735 and driven by Emie Sumagang of Danao City, damaging its rear. Pamplona's Honda motorcycle, with plate number YJ-8359, was also damaged. Pamplona sustained injuries in the different parts of his body.

A police report states that Pamplona was at fault.

Edward said after the accident, his brother lost consciousness and was immediately taken to the Mandaue City Hospital by the ERUF.

However, after he was treated for a head wound and bruises and undergone a liquor test, Edward alleged Alcantara failed to advise his brother to undergo a CT scan or to be confined, which is the standard operating procedure (SOP).

"SOP dyud unta na sa doctor aron pag siguro kon wa bay internal hemorrhage ang pasyente. Igo ra man niingon ug ok ra ba ka? Unya gipapauli akong igsoon wa lang dyud ka-advise ug CT scan ug unya pag-abot sa bay naminhod daw iyang kalawasan sa dihang gipangutana namo kon ok ba siya," Edward said.

He said after taking his medication, his brother went to sleep but awakened hours later and started vomiting.

The following day, October 10, they decided to have him confined at the Don Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, where the CT scan result showed a blood clot as big as a tablespoon inside his head.

Edward said the doctor immediately advised to have the patient operated on but could not assure that he could survive the operation. The doctor said the operation should have been done immediately at the time when there was still an 80 percent chance of survival.

After the operation, the patient was comatose for five days and died at around 2:30 a.m. of October 15.

Upon learning of the incident, city administrator James Abadia immediately ordered an investigation of the incident and tasked the city legal office to do it.

The city hospital is under the supervision and control of the Mandaue City government .

Dr. Quirante said he won't issue any statement on the incident until the results of an investigation have been released.

However, Quirante yesterday said he has already informed Alcantara, who was off-duty yesterday, about a complaint against her.

Quirante declined to disclose what had been discussed but said the internist has been a contractual employee of the hospital for the past three years now.