Hospital, doctors told: ‘Just answer questions from the Garcia family’

CEBU, Philippines —  A US-based doctor has asked his colleagues in the medical profession in Cebu to just answer the questions raised by the family of Barili mayor Marlon Garcia and his brother former Dumanjug mayor Nelson Garcia if they have nothing to hide on the deaths of the two siblings.

Dr. Jerald Mark Garcia, in his Facebook post, said the Garcias have every right to ask questions about the medical care provided to two of his kin which resulted in deaths less than a week apart.

“If you have nothing to hide, then just answer the questions raised. They deserve that transparency at least - especially after you had just handed them an 8.5 million peso medical bill! If your conscience is clear, then no need to hide behind social media gimmickry (such as cute hashtags, profile picture changes or generic general statements)," said Dr. Garcia.

He suggested to just answer their questions saying that, “the Garcias are not "doctor shaming," nor are they seeking vengeance of any sort, they are simply asking for accountability from the doctors and institutions involved - for the family’s own closure and for the benefit of the public.”

Dr. Garcia shared how he handled cases when patients or their family members challenge or question his medical decision-making.

“I am happy to engage with them and answer questions to their satisfaction. I am always ready to defend my thought process and the actions taken, regardless of the patient's outcome. I can be as general or as specific as they wish me to be in my explanation,” he said.

“I do not take offense by their questioning because it is my job as a doctor to ensure that my patients and their loved ones are always part of the medical decision-making process,” added Dr. Garcia.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Third District Rep. Pablo John Garcia earlier demanded answers on what exactly happened to their brothers while in the hospital fighting for their lives.

The Garcias did not publicly name the institution, but Chong Hua Hospital issued a statement expressing openness to dialogue with the family claiming that previous media reports have already identified the hospital as the facility where the two brothers were confined.

However, the Garcia family has set conditions before they will engage a dialogue such that the hospital will provide first the medical records of Marlon and Nelson.

Nelson died of cardio pulmonary arrest secondary to probable pulmonary embolism, while Marlon died due to septic shock secondary to catheter related blood stream infection, ventilator associated pneumonia. Nelson and Marlon died barely a week away from each other.  Both had been declared recovered from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) when they passed away. — FPL (FREEMAN)