Palace backs Gordon call to probe influx of illegal foreign doctors in PH

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MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday backed the call of Sen. Richard Gordon to probe foreign doctors working in local hospitals in the country without permits.

“That’s right. He should really investigate the whys and the wherefores of this influx of foreign doctors in the country so we know,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

In a statement on Saturday, Gordon said he learned about the influx of foreign doctors in the country recently, citing the James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital where “several doctors of Pakistani or Nepalese citizenships have been practicing medicine as medical consultants.”

“I am concerned because they are allowed to deal with patients on a one-on-one basis, they prescribe medicines. The patients hardly understand them. I have received several complaints about this, which have been confirmed,” he said.

“Are they supervised by Filipino doctors? Are they even allowed to practice medicine here? As I understand it, we only have a reciprocity principal with Japan, Spain and the United States, including Asean Mutual Recognition Arrangements,” he added.

Gordon said the issue on the influx of foreign doctors in the country without permits could be happening in other areas too.

“This should stop because this concerns the health and well-being of the public and I fear that this is being practiced not just in Olongapo but in other areas too,” he said./ac