2 doctors ‘defy’ reassignment order

CEBU, Philippines — Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has ordered the transfer of two doctors of Danao Provincial Hospital, but both “refused” to do so.

The doctors, whose names were not disclosed by Garcia, were told to transfer to the Cebu Provincial Health Office (CPHO) and the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC).

The transfer was covered under Memorandum Circular No. 19-2019, which took effect on July 16.

“I am enjoining these two doctors to immediately comply with the afore-mentioned reassignment orders and to report to your new work assignments. Failure to comply with these directives shall be construed as gross insubordination that will warrant their dismissal from the service,” the memorandum circular read.

Due to their non-compliance, Garcia directed the CPHO, CPDRC, and the Human Resource Management Division to mark the doctors absent without official leave.

“CPHO, CPDRC and HRMD are directed to mark these two doctors as absent-without-official-leave for every day that they fail to report to their new work assignments reckoned from July 16,” the governor said.

The two doctors reportedly did not heed the order pending the opinion from the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

The doctors filed separate appeals on reassignment order before CSC on July 29 and July 30.

On August 8, 2019, the Provincial Legal Office (PLO) issued an opinion that the reassignment of the two doctors was “lawful and within the prerogative and powers of the governor of the Province of Cebu.”

The PLO also said the doctors filed their appeal beyond the 10-day reglementary period provided for under the Uniform Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service.

During her visit to the province-run hospital yesterday, Garcia raised the defiance of the two doctors.

“Di lang nako hisgutan ang pangan sa doctors, tingalig nia mo, mauwawan mo,” she said

She directed Provincial Administrator Noli Valencia, who was also present during the visit, to serve the memorandum to Dr. Elvira Grengia, the hospital’s chief.

Warning

Moreover, the governor has warned the doctors and hospital personnel to never treat patients unfairly.

Garcia made the stern warning after receiving complaints about hospital staff’s “bad attitude,” resulting in poor patient care.

She also received reports about the absence of doctors at the facility despite the past administration’s hiring of their services.

"Ang reklamo diris Danao, walay doctor halos. Kun naay doctor, sultian nga dunay pasyente saputon pa, kay nipahuway, natukaw ang iyang pagkatog," she said.

The hospital, she said, has 38 doctors with contracts of service (COS). Eight of the 38 doctors, mostly from Manila, are medical specialists.

Those under COS, she said, are paid P80,000, while medical specialists are paid P73,000.

Most of those with COS only visit the facility for two days. The rest would render a week’s duty, but would not be seen for the next three weeks.

There were even instances when the Capitol-paid medical specialists would still ask professional fees for performing caesarean operations, said Garcia.

Due to the said “horror stories,” Garcia said she would deploy “mystery patients” to all provincial hospital to gather reports.

She said erring doctors and staff may face dismissal if found guilty by the capitol’s Committee on Discipline.

"They will be suspended pending investigation and if found guilty, will be dismissed," the governor said.

Agreement

During the hospital visit, the governor, Cebu Sixth Ditrict Representative Vincent Franco "Duke" Frasco, Provincial Board Member Red Duterte and Board Member Kerrie Shimura, the chairman of the PB Committee on Health, entered into a memorandum of understanding to improve the medical facility.

Using his congressional funds, Frasco allocated P2 million for the indigent patients of Juan Dosado Memorial Hospital in Sogod, Danao City Provincial Hospital and Ricardo L. Maningo Hospital in San Francisco, Camotes Island.

Frasco said they are making good their campaign promise to prioritize the health needs of the people of the Fifth District. – KQD (FREEMAN)