By Uriel C. Quilinguing.
TRUTH-TELLING for medical professionals has never been most challenged as it has been the past weeks in the Philippines and elsewhere due to the novel coronavirus that surfaced late last year.
Under normal times, physicians may keep certain information, filter findings on medical test results and diagnostic findings. They know sharing these may have no bearing at all on the treatment and recovery of their patients. They are professionals at that. They are specialists in their fields.
Although non-specialists, as long as they have adequate knowledge and relevant experience in the medical profession, are being summoned to be on the front lines against the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic. Still, we believe the specialists are the ones who are calling the shots.
Understandably, the medical experts are on top of the situation from the national to the local levels, particularly in inter-agency task forces against the Covid-19. And, aside from having total control of case information and profile of the patient, they can easily invoke provisions of law, if compelled to reveal facts and figures.
For them, there are instances when it is better not to tell the truth and yet that is truth-telling for them. And doing so is ethical behavior. For laypersons, it’s an oxymoron.
Somehow, media practitioners in Cagayan de Oro are fortunate they have a city chief executive who recognizes the public should not be left out guessing, hence the daily Covid-19 briefing at City Hall.
But they can only expect as much; often they do not share the same frame of mind with those who are supposed to be reliable and credible sources of information. They must, in the first place, have ample grasp of the laws these medical professionals invoke to evade responding to queries head-on.
Aside from truth-telling, the provisions of the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act” (Republic Act No. 11469) which President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law this Tuesday (March 24) can be invoked, particularly Section 6 (f) of the said law, as well as the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act (Republic Act No. 11332) which, incidentally became law just last year.
Pressed for an explanation why regional health agency officials, hospital medical directors, and health officers refuse to disclose information on Covid-19 patients, they can cite Section 9 (a) of R.A. No. 11332 which states that “unauthorized disclosure of private and confidential information pertaining to a patient’s medical condition or treatment” is among the prohibited acts.
Of course, they don’t wish to be penalized for disclosing the information, a fine of P50,000 and/or imprisonment for six months and worse, suspension of their professional license.
Medical practitioners may also cite Section 6 (f) of Republic Act No. 11469 which penalizes individuals and groups for two months in prison and/or fined for P10,000 for spreading false information regarding the Covid-19 crisis on social media and other platforms.
These restrict media practitioners to exercise their craft in order, to tell the truth, yet these somehow boost the truth-telling practice of medical professionals which, perhaps, is unknown to many.
Here’s the caveat, the law (R.A. No. 11469) shall be in force and effect only for three (3) months unless extended by Congress.
(Uriel C. Quilinguing is a former president of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club who had been editor in chief of Cagayan de Oro-based newspapers, including this paper. For reactions, email them to uriel.quilinguing@yahoo.com.)
