Monday, April 21, 2008 PMA set to firm up rule for docs
FOLLOWING the recent controversy hounding the medical profession, the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) has decided to revise its code of ethics.
Dr. Rey Santos, incoming PMA president, said the amended code of ethics is expected to be approved in their general assembly next month.
“We’re submitting the amendments to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) after the general assembly approves it,” Santos said.
He admitted that the recent surgery scandal that happened in Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) in Cebu City, where the procedure of removing a perfume canister from the anus of a male patient was uploaded to YouTube, has “tainted” the image of the doctors and nurses.
Because of the “unfortunate event,” he said it is even more important to strengthen the ethical guidelines for physicians.
“It should not be tolerated,” he added.
According to Santos, the surgeon who performed the procedure is “in-charge” of what was happening inside the operating room (OR), adding that the giggling among medical staff that was shown on the video was “not a usual attitude” at an OR.
The incident became a scandal as videos of the operation showed one of the staff holding the body spray and aiming it on those inside the OR while others took photos and video using cell phones.
While the patient’s case was “unusual,” Santos stressed that it was “not an excuse” for the medical team to behave unpro-fessionally while treating a person.
“Basically, the issue here is respect for human dignity. The patient was very helpless at that time,” the incoming PMA president said.
He added that medical students are also aware of the ethical practice of the profession because it is taught in schools.
In an investigation conducted by the VSMMC team, it was learned that a student was responsible for uploading the video clip to YouTube.
Aside from the behavior of medical practitioners, the amended Code of Ethics, Santos said, will include the guidelines against the endorsement of products by some doctors. (MSN/Sunnex)
