RCC just gave me one more reason not to go back to the Catholic faith
Cebu archdiocese says gay patient to blame for YouTube scandal
By Evelyn Macairan
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Monsignor Achilles Dakay, spokesman for the Archdiocese of Cebu, blamed yesterday the homosexual patient for the scandal at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) in Cebu City.
Dakay said the 39-year-old florist, whose identity was withheld, had no one to blame but himself for the scandal.
A video, circulated on the video-sharing Internet site YouTube, of a medical procedure showed a 15-centimeter long spray canister being extracted from the rectum of a patient.
This generated a storm of public criticism against VSMMC and the concerned doctors and hospital officials could face a congressional investigation.
The video showed the hospital staff laughing and clapping their hands when the canister was extracted, which is a violation of the patient’s privacy.
Dakay told Catholic Church-run Radio Veritas that the patient would not have been caught in an embarrassing situation if he had not engaged in a homosexual act in the first place.
“From day one, we are asking (the public) not to forget or to bypass the main issue, the homosexual act was done very badly and now they are talking about what the doctors did wrong. They should be reminded of the wrong act that the guy did to the homosexual,” Dakay said.
“People are blaming the doctors for what they did, but I think they should blame the patient for what he did,” he said.
Since the video could easily be viewed through the Internet, the incident at the VSMMC could draw the attention of other countries. “This is not just scandalous, but very shameful,” Dakay said.
He said there is also a need to look into the professionalism of those in the medical profession.
Medical schools in the province should also reassess their curriculum. Apart from teaching ethics in class, they should also impart pointers on morality.
He explained that while the Archdiocese of Cebu could sympathize with members of the gay community because “they are born that way,” the Church would not tolerate homosexual acts.
“We should distinguish between homosexuality as an orientation and homosexuality as an act.”
The recent hospital scandal could be an indication that the level of morality of Cebuanos has declined.
Homosexuality, he admitted, has become prevalent in the province.
This developed as Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin, who is also a surgeon, said she filed House Bill 3703, or An Act Regulating the Education and Licensure of Physicians and the Practice of Medicine in the Philippines, to repeal RA 2382, in order to protect patients’ rights.
The measure provides for the stringent admission of doctors to the medical industry and the practice of their profession as well in the country, bearing in mind the patients’ interests. The bill is entitled “Physicians Act of 2008.”
Garin lamented that while there have been proposals to amend the code of ethics of the Philippine Medical Association, of which most doctors are members, this does not carry any penalty for physicians involved in malpractice.
“I have filed the bill, which amends the Medical Act of 1959. This will strengthen the PMA and minimize unethical practices of some doctors. I hope the executive will consider this urgent, taking into account the dangerous effect of patients losing trust in their doctors.”
Garin said the Cebu incident is so bothersome that it will not just affect the patients, but will ultimately have repercussions on what the government has been promoting - medical tourism.
Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel filed last Tuesday a proposed House resolution seeking an investigation into the scandal at the VSMMC in Cebu City.
“Congress must exercise its oversight and legislative powers to contribute to efforts to stop the burden of oppression stigma carried by the lesbian and gay, bisexual and transgender (community),” the party-list congresswoman said. - With Delon Porcalla, Christina Paguinto, Jose Miguel Reyes
By Evelyn Macairan
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Monsignor Achilles Dakay, spokesman for the Archdiocese of Cebu, blamed yesterday the homosexual patient for the scandal at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) in Cebu City.
Dakay said the 39-year-old florist, whose identity was withheld, had no one to blame but himself for the scandal.
A video, circulated on the video-sharing Internet site YouTube, of a medical procedure showed a 15-centimeter long spray canister being extracted from the rectum of a patient.
This generated a storm of public criticism against VSMMC and the concerned doctors and hospital officials could face a congressional investigation.
The video showed the hospital staff laughing and clapping their hands when the canister was extracted, which is a violation of the patient’s privacy.
Dakay told Catholic Church-run Radio Veritas that the patient would not have been caught in an embarrassing situation if he had not engaged in a homosexual act in the first place.
“From day one, we are asking (the public) not to forget or to bypass the main issue, the homosexual act was done very badly and now they are talking about what the doctors did wrong. They should be reminded of the wrong act that the guy did to the homosexual,” Dakay said.
“People are blaming the doctors for what they did, but I think they should blame the patient for what he did,” he said.
Since the video could easily be viewed through the Internet, the incident at the VSMMC could draw the attention of other countries. “This is not just scandalous, but very shameful,” Dakay said.
He said there is also a need to look into the professionalism of those in the medical profession.
Medical schools in the province should also reassess their curriculum. Apart from teaching ethics in class, they should also impart pointers on morality.
He explained that while the Archdiocese of Cebu could sympathize with members of the gay community because “they are born that way,” the Church would not tolerate homosexual acts.
“We should distinguish between homosexuality as an orientation and homosexuality as an act.”
The recent hospital scandal could be an indication that the level of morality of Cebuanos has declined.
Homosexuality, he admitted, has become prevalent in the province.
This developed as Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin, who is also a surgeon, said she filed House Bill 3703, or An Act Regulating the Education and Licensure of Physicians and the Practice of Medicine in the Philippines, to repeal RA 2382, in order to protect patients’ rights.
The measure provides for the stringent admission of doctors to the medical industry and the practice of their profession as well in the country, bearing in mind the patients’ interests. The bill is entitled “Physicians Act of 2008.”
Garin lamented that while there have been proposals to amend the code of ethics of the Philippine Medical Association, of which most doctors are members, this does not carry any penalty for physicians involved in malpractice.
“I have filed the bill, which amends the Medical Act of 1959. This will strengthen the PMA and minimize unethical practices of some doctors. I hope the executive will consider this urgent, taking into account the dangerous effect of patients losing trust in their doctors.”
Garin said the Cebu incident is so bothersome that it will not just affect the patients, but will ultimately have repercussions on what the government has been promoting - medical tourism.
Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel filed last Tuesday a proposed House resolution seeking an investigation into the scandal at the VSMMC in Cebu City.
“Congress must exercise its oversight and legislative powers to contribute to efforts to stop the burden of oppression stigma carried by the lesbian and gay, bisexual and transgender (community),” the party-list congresswoman said. - With Delon Porcalla, Christina Paguinto, Jose Miguel Reyes