THE Philippine College of Chest Physicians (PCCP), on May 11, 2021, issued a statement of support for its two colleagues in Cebu who have been indicted for reckless imprudence resulting to homicide that stemmed from the complaint filed by the wife of the late Barili mayor Marlon Garcia.
In a statement signed by its officers and members of its board of directors, the PCCP said it stands “in solidarity” with its colleagues who currently face a medical malpractice suit.
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The colleagues it is referring to are Chong Hua Hospital doctors Elfleda Hernandez, an infectious disease specialist, and Yvonne Bettina Montejo, a pulmonologist.
The two were the doctors of Garcia, a Covid-19 survivor, before he died in September 2020.
Earlier this week, another doctors’ group, the Philippine College of Physicians Central Visayas also reiterated its “unconditional support and respect” for Hernandez and Montejo by re-sharing its previous statement recognizing its colleagues’ competence in their fields of expertise.
The PCCP said physicians have the sacred duty and responsibility to treat the sick to the best of their abilities as they are bound by their Hippocratic Oath (one of the binding documents in history).
READ: PCP-Central Visayas expresses solidarity to 2 doctors accused of medical negligence
“It is therefore disheartening to hear of medical practitioners being publicly maligned and at times unjustly accused in relation to the practice of their profession,” reads a portion of the statement.
"To our affected colleagues, please be assured that TRUTH, ETHICS and MORALITY are on your side and shall be your formidable allies to help you see through to vindication," it added.