DOH-7 starts query on ‘medical malpractice’

THE  fact-finding committee of the Department of Health (DOH) started its investigation yesterday on the alleged medical malpractice in Mandaue City Hospital that led to the death of Jocelyn Coliflores, the  wife of a former overseas worker.

Dr. Sofia Mancao, who heads the fact-finding committee conferred with Dr. Malou Espinoza, chief of Mandaue City Hospital, in a three-hour closed-door meeting.

Both Mancao and Espinoza did not issue  statements  to waiting reporters after the meeting.

The DOH-7 earlier stated they will conduct an investigation after Cesar, the husband, sought assistance at their office a week after his wife died.

Cesar accused two doctors and three nurses who attended to Jocelyn during her confinement on Jan. 2.

Cesar said his wife was given an anti-bacterial medicine and injected with a tranquilizer to calm her down  without even conducting a laboratory examination or allergy test.

Cesar was in Saudi Arabia working as a driver when  the incident occurred.  He returned home after he was told of his  wife’s death.

He was told by relatives that Jocelyn had a recurring fever, thus her confinement.

They first went to Dr. Ignacio M. Cortes Hospital in barangay Centro but there was no private room available.

They transferred to Mandaue City Hospital.

The attending doctor, identified as Antoinette Alcantara, administered medication  to Jocelyn.

A few minutes later, Jocelyn’s blood pressure shot up and she started to become hysterical.  She had difficulty breathing and asked her 8-year-old son to take a video of her which would serve as evidence in the event of her death.

Cesar uploaded the video  in his Facebook page and it went viral.

Cesar’s lawyer Inocencio Dela Cerna asked the city legal office of Mandaue City and Espinoza to conduct a full and impartial investigation on  the incident.

He also asked for all the medical records from the hospital and asked a 60-day suspension of the involved medical personnel.