The Provincial Legal Office has completed its preliminary investigation of three doctors and two staff at two Negros Occidental provincial government hospitals and found basis to elevate their cases to the Investigation Committee for Public Health Workers for hearing.
Provincial Legal Officer Alberto Nellas Jr. said on Thursday, June 30, that he cannot divulge their recommendations, it will be up to the Investigation Committee for Public Health Workers headed by provincial health officer, Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, to decide whether the persons involved should be formally charged.
“Based on the allegations there is basis to go on with the investigation,” he said.
Final approval of the decision of the committee will be made by the governor, he said.
If they are found guilty of grave misconduct, the penalty could be dismissal from the service, he added.
The investigations stem from patients’ complaints lodged before the Department of Health that were forwarded to the provincial government for action, he said.
Two doctors at the Ignacio L. Arroyo Memorial District Hospital in Isabela are under investigation for alleged “maltreatment” of a patient, Nellas said.
A doctor and two staff at the Don Salvador Benedicto Memorial District Hospital in La Carlota City are also under investigation for alleged corrupt practices involving medical supplies, he said. The doctor was included in the complaint for alleged command responsibility, he added.*