Hospital negligence?

There is now a question as to whether the Tuburan District Hospital is really to blame for the death of a drug suspect who was rushed to the medical facility supposedly for treatment after being wounded in a police operation but was allegedly left unattended by its personnel.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is launching an investigation into the death of Jimby Casas, who was allegedly left to die at the district hospital as shown in a video that went viral in social media.

Vowing cooperation with the CHR probe, Provincial Health Office head Dr. Rene Catan said they are also doing a separate investigation. He said they will look into the possible lapses of the hospital and the administrative liabilities of its personnel.

As the PHO conducts investigation into the incident, at least three female nurses were suspended indefinitely over the viral video. But Catan brushed off the allegations that the hospital personnel did not attend to the patient.

It’s understandable for Catan to defend the hospital personnel and deny the allegation of negligence. But if his statement was based solely on the ongoing PHO investigation, we cannot expect the public to believe it 100 percent owing to the fact that the PHO is not an independent agency that cannot be tainted with partiality.

Catan should not have rushed to the hospital personnel’s rescue. He should have waited for other investigating agencies’ statements before issuing any statement defending his personnel. But we cannot blame him. Being the PHO chief, he has a professional duty to protect his agency.

However, heads should roll if it is proven that there was really a lapse on the part of the hospital. This is not to say there really was negligence by the hospital personnel. The fact that there was an allegation of neglect should prompt the authorities to thoroughly investigate the incident.