|
Monday, April 21, 2008
PMA doctors to amend code of ethics
MANILA -- Following the recent controversy hounding the medical profession, the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) hierarchy has decided to revise its code of ethics.
Doctor Rey Santos, incoming PMA president, said the amended code of ethics is expected to be approved during the general assembly next month.
Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo
"We're submitting the amendments to the Philippine Regulatory Commission (PRC) after the general assembly approves it," Santos said.
Video: VSMMC press briefing
VSMMC official statement
He admitted that the recent surgery scandal that happened in Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) in Cebu, where the procedure of removing a perfume canister from the anus of a male patient was uploaded on YouTube, has "tainted" the image of 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.
Unusual attitude
Santos said the surgeon who performed the surgery procedure is "in charge" of the operating room (OR) and the giggling among medical staff that was shown on the video was "not a usual attitude" at the OR.
The incident sparked a scandal as videos of the operation showed one of the staff holding the perfume canister and spraying the scent on those inside the OR while countless cell phones take shots of the surgery.
Related stories:
Hospital to name docs in surgery scandal Friday
Doctors may lose licenses over surgery scandal
Hospital apologizes to patient in surgery scandal
Patient to sue hospital over anal surgery video
Not an excuse
While the patient's case was "unusual," Santos stressed that "it's not an excuse" for the medical team to behave unprofessionally 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.
Santos also stressed 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 medical student was the one who uploaded the video clip in YouTube.
Aside from the medical practitioners' behavior, the amended code of ethics will include the guidelines on the endorsement of products by some doctors, said Santos. (MSN/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Pampanga. (April 21, 2008 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here. |
|
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
Health office may name patient 'abusers'