Paliwanag ni Dr. Campos sa isyu ni Jimboy Magtalas

Inaasahan na ng OK KA BATA! na magre-react ang pamunuan ng Medical Center Manila (MCM) sa isyu ni Jimboy Magtalas na ngayon ay nasa ika-limang taon na sa nasabing ospital.

Sumulat sa Pilipino Star NGAYON si Dr. Paulo Campos, may-ari ng MCM upang ilahad ang kanilang panig. Ang sulat ay naka-address kay Mr. Miguel G. Belmonte, President ng Pilipino Star NGAYON at Alfonso G. Pedroche, Editor-in-Chief. Narito ang unang bahagi ng sulat ni Dr. Campos:

This is to bring to your attention the unfair, one-sided and libelous articles of Mario D. Basco in his column ‘‘OK Ka Bata’’ entitled ‘‘Jimboy Magtalas: Kawawang Pasyente’’ (February 23, 2001) and ‘‘Coma Si Jimboy at Pinagpipilitang Ilabas Sa Ospital’’ (February 26, 2001), and the article of Angie dela Cruz, your reporter, entitled ‘‘Kaso Ng Batang Nalantang-gulay Iaapela Sa CHR’’ (February 23, 2001).

In the first place, Jimboy is not ‘‘Comatose’’ nor in ‘‘Coma’’. The ‘‘Coma’’ or Comatose’’ stage had been passed a few months after his surgical operation in December 1995 or over 5 years ago. He was 12 years old then; now he is nearing 18 years of age with robust physical condition although he could not walk. Jimboy is not a patient of MCM nor its doctors, but of Philamcare Health Systems, Inc. (Philamcare).

Here is Jimboy’s brief medical history: On October 11, 1995, Jimboy, 12 years of age, was rushed to the Manila Doctors Hospital complaining of severe stomach pains and high fever. Doctors there diagnosed him to have urinary tract infection and recommended that he be confined for treatment. The Magtalases, however, refused to heed doctors’ advice and went home instead. A few hours later, they went back to Manila Doctors Hospital for another consultation but left without waiting for the results of the laboratory tests. On December 12, 1995, after 24 hours of suffering, Jimboy was brought to MCM upon advice of a neighbor-doctor as his conditioned had already worsened Emphasis should be made at this point that when Jimboy went to the ER of MCM his appendicitis has already ruptured. Because the Magtalases were then enrolled members of Philamcare,Jimboy was admitted to the hospital under the care of Philamcare doctors, After confirming the diagnosis of MCM’s emergency room physician that Jimboy was suffering from acute appendicitis, the Philamcare doctors prepared Jimboy for surgery and contacted a PHILAMCARE anesthesiologist, to administer anesthesia on the patient. But the Philamcare anesthesiologist without the knowledge and consent of MCM, contacted another doctor who is not even accredited by MCM as an anesthesiologist. During surgery, it was revealed that Jimboy’s appendix had already ruptured and local peritonitis had set in. After the operation, the patient was sent to the recovery room and transferred to the Intensive Management Unit with stable vital signs but was asleep. Unfortunately, Jimboy did not regain consciousness and fell into a coma. Throughout the whole procedures, all precautions were taken by MCM to assure a safe and successful operation; that all hospital equipment, machines and facilities were in good working conditions and did not break down before, during and after the operation; and that all MCM staff who assisted in the operation were all qualified and competent to render assistance to the Philamcare doctors. (Itutuloy sa Lunes)