A Facebook Event challenging retired journalist Ramon “Mon” Tulfo to step into the shoes of a government hospital physician was created after his viral complaint against a surgeon.
Physician Jeffrey Santiago, an adult disease specialist, created an “event” daring Tulfo to spend at least a month working in a state-owned hospital in response to Tulfo’s remarks about a specialist at the Philippine Heart Center.
“Pag duty-hin si Ramon Tulfo sa Government Hospital kahit 1 [month] lang para magka-alam,” the Facebook Event reads.
“Kahit shadow lang sa resident doctor sa government hospital; he who knows not, and knows not that he knows not, is a fool,” it added.
The event details challenge Tulfo to work specifically at the Philippine Heart Center, where the surgeon he criticized is employed.
So far, 885 users have “confirmed” attendance, while 16,700 have marked themselves as “interested.”
Santiago, who created the “event,” a health professional, also posted his thoughts on Tulfo’s complaint.
“Boss Ramon Tulfo. Hinahamon po kita na mag-duty ka o kahit mag-shadow man lang sa isang residente ng isang public hospital, lalong lalo na ‘yung malalaking ospital sa Kamaynilaan,” he wrote on Tuesday, August 12.
“Sa Philippine Heart Center, Philippine General Hospital, Jose Reyes, East Ave, at madami pa pong iba. Hinahamon po kita [mag] 36 hours duty every [three] days. KAHIT ISANG BUWAN LANG,” Santiago added.
He then explained the situation involving the physician Tulfo was complaining about in his post.
“‘Yung doktor pong sumisingil ng 100k+ [P100,000 plus] something sa kanyang PF [professional fee] ay nagtapos ng college, medicine, residency, subspecialization, ipinasa ang napakadaming exams, board exams, at certifying exams, dumaan sa butas ng karayom,” Santiago said.
“Habang ‘yung mga tao po ay natutulog ng mahimbing sa gabi, alam po naming ‘yung doktor na ‘yan ay hindi natutulog, nagsusunog ng kilay, nagdu-duty, pinagpapalit ang kanyang kabataan, at mga espesyal na okasyon, hindi po biro ang pinagdaanan ng tao na ‘yan,” he added.
“Kami pong mga doktor, clerk pa lang, ay nag-se-serbisyo na ng libre sa mahihirap, sa government hospitals, wala pong bayad, sumasalo po kami ng ihi, dumi, dugo, suka, walang mechanical ventilator?” Santiago said.
“Nag-pu-pump po kami ng bag, 24 hours walang tulugan, hangga’t walang kapalit, ‘pag natulog po kami, patay sa tabi namin ang pasyente, mistulang ginagawa kaming makina, DAHIL ‘YUNG MGA PONDO NG GOBYERNO PARA SA KALUSUGAN AY HINDI NAPUPUNTA SA KANILA,” he continued.
Santiago also said Tulfo should direct his anger at the government, which he blamed for the “very ugly” state of public hospitals.
“ANG NAGIGING PROBLEMA PO DITO, naiisip ng mga tao na KALABAN NILA ANG DOKTOR, pero kami po ang TOTOONG tumutulong ng walang picture, video, at pag papabango,” he said.
On Friday, August 8, Tulfo singled out a surgeon at the Philippine Heart Center in a Facebook post, alleging that the physician charged a professional fee of P85,000 to a financially struggling patient with a diabetic leg wound.
According to Philippine Medical Association President Hector Santos, the doctor actually charged P45,000 upon their discussion with the patient.
The association also explained that professional fees vary depending on the “complexity and type of service rendered.”
“Based on accounts on services rendered to the patient mentioned in the case, the hospital charges and professional fees were within acceptable limits of ethical practice,” it said.
The Philippine College of Physicians also released a statement, expressing its support for the surgeon and all medical professionals “who dedicate their lives to the care and healing of patients.”
It described viral posts similar to Tulfo, without naming him, as “irresponsible” for circulating unverified and baseless accusations against healthcare workers. — with reports from Philstar.com/Dominique Flores
