Harassing Doctors

As doctors, we never expected to be “harassed” by anyone, most specially “political harassment”. We bloody toiled for decades studying and training to be what we are today, with grace and mercy of our Lord. So when we are subjected to certain situations we are not accustomed to, it brings us great pressure to decide “is it really worth it…”

A doctor, duly licensed by the PRC, finished specialty training, certified by the specialty board, has a lot of career options. Private practice, plus/or affiliation with a private company/hospital; teaching (yes, we can teach…) at med school, or go into government service as health provider. In government, one md can go into DOH-md’s to the barrios, be DOH-reps, other DOH positions, or government hospital specialist. And also, one can go into local government unit health care as a provincial or city health officer or municipal health officer. In the LGU’s, “political harassment” is often times seen.

A “health officer” (P.H.O., C.H.O. or M.H.O.) is appointed by the local chief executive (governor or mayor) and holds a “key” position as the health officer is in control of all health centers (rural health units). There is no problem if the local chief executive and the health officer are “mag-kakampi”. But if there is a change in leadership, as is seen every 3 years during elections, and a “kalaban” wins, the health officer is often subject to harassment. WHY??? The “kalaban” will want to put his own “health officer” but since the health officer plantilla item is PERMANENT and not co-terminus with the elective official, he cannot simply terminate the current health officer. So instead, he will make life difficult for the health officer to force the poor md to resign then position.

We know of a MHO, in a city just in the outskirts of metro manila. She was doing a fine job, managing over more than 30 health centers thru out her city. After the recent elections, a new mayor took office and started harassing her. They tried to dig up dirt against her, made false accusations and threatened to slap her with admin suits in court. For want of peace of mind, she simply resigned, even though she didn’t do anything wrong. Another MHO, doing great work with her more than 20 health centers, often cited for outstanding accomplishments. The incumbent mayor was suspended, and the vice-mayor took office. The (over) acting mayor appointed his own “executive assistant for health” and this exec assistant started throwing her weight around against the MHO. In the local government code, the mayor is the chairman of the local health board, and the MHO is the vice-chairman. So technically, the exec assistant is out of line in ordering the MHO around.

Nakakalungkot lang isispin na ang propesyon ng isang manggagamot, na itinuturing na isa sa pinaka dakilang propesyon, ay hahaluan ng maduming politika ng mga taong walang inisip kundi ang sariling kapakanan. Lord, kayo na po ang bahala sa kanila. Patamaan nyo na lang po ng kidlat…