3 nurses linked to video of wounded patient in Cebu hospital face dismissal

CEBU CITY — The Cebu Provincial Health Office (PHO) has recommended the termination of the three nurses who reportedly took and uploaded a video of a wounded drug suspect in a government hospital in Tuburan town, at least 90 km north of here.

Provincial Health Officer Rene Catan said the actions of the three nurses of the Tuburan District Hospital were enough grounds to fire them from work.

The recommendation, he said, was sent to Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III.

“After the meeting with the grievance committee (on Monday), we found them liable for taking a video of the patient and uploading it on social media,” Catan said.

The three nurses were job order employees of the Cebu provincial government.

The video of the 23-year-old Gembe Casas taken by a hospital staff made the rounds on social media and drew criticisms due to the alleged mishandling of the patient.

Casas was shot during a drug bust operation in Tuburan last Feb. 8.
Catan emphasized that taking a video of the patient and uploading it on social media was unethical, especially that it was a staff of the hospital who allegedly took the video.

He said a midwife of the Tuburan District Hospital also asked for a copy of the video but did not upload it.

“The issue on the midwife would be elevated to the office of the Human Resource Department for further processing and investigation,” said Catan.

Casas’ family was thinking of filing charges against the police and medical team.

Lawyer Vincent Isles said they were gathering evidence to prove their case.

“We can file charges against the police and the medical team although nothing is final for now,” he told the Inquirer over the phone.