DoH names docs, nurses in Cebu ‘canister scandal’
By Jeannette Andrade
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 16:20:00 04/22/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- The Department of Health (DoH) has named the three doctors and two nurses of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) in Cebu City who may face charges for the so-called “canister scandal.”
Secretary Francisco Duque III identified the VSMMC medical staff as head surgeon Philips Leo Arias; assistant surgeons Angelo Linawagan and Max Joseph Montecillo; nursing attendant Rosemarie Villareal; and circulating nurse Carmina Sapio.
Duque said at a press conference Tuesday at the DoH main office in Manila that more persons may be named respondents, depending on the outcome of the preliminary investigation.
The violations they may be charged with, the secretary said, range from simple neglect to grave misconduct. But he emphasized that before administrative charges are filed, due process must be observed.
“I would like to clarify and stress, no charges have been filed as of yet because we need to follow certain procedures. It behooves upon us to make sure that the processes, the procedures are being followed. Ayaw nating ma-teknikal tayo [We don’t want to be caught in a technicality],” the DoH secretary pointed out.
He explained that, while the VSMMC and the DoH Central Visayas have conducted their respective fact-finding investigations, the hospital still has to issue show-cause letters to the respondents and allow them to explain why they should not be charged.
It is only after they have responded can the DoH conduct a preliminary investigation into the possible filing of administrative charges, during which the levels of participation and corresponding sanctions will be determined.
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