(Eagle News)—Senator Richard Gordon wants an investigation into what he said was a syndicate that facilitates the entry and employment of foreign doctors who practice medicine as medical consultants in certain hospitals even without the necessary permits.
Gordon made the statement after learning that several doctors of Pakistani or Nepalese citizenships were working at the James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital, a government hospital in Olongapo City, as medical consultants.
He said this was in violation of the reciprocity requirement under Republic Act 2382, or The Medical Act of 1959, and Republic Act No. 8981, or the PRC (Professional Regulatory Commission) Modernization Act of 2000.
“As I understand it, we only have a reciprocity principal with Japan, Spain and the United States, including ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangements,” he said.
He added under Section 7 (j) of Republic Act No. 8981, the PRC was empowered “to approve the registration of and authorize the issuance of a certificate of registration/license and professional identification card…to a foreigner who is registered under the laws of his state or country and whose certificate of registration issued therein has not been suspended or revoked: Provided, that, the requirements for the registration or licensing in said foreign state or country are substantially the same as those required and contemplated by the laws of the Philippines and that the laws of such foreign state or country allow the citizens of the Philippines to practice the profession on the same basis and grant the same privileges as those enjoyed by the subjects or citizens of such foreign state or country…”
He said the same provision allows the PRC to authorize the issuance of a certificate of registration/license or a special temporary permit to foreign professionals who desire to practice their professions in the country under reciprocity and other international agreements; consultants in foreign-funded, joint venture or foreign-assisted projects of the government, employees of Philippine or foreign private firms or institutions pursuant to law, or health professionals engaged in humanitarian mission for a limited period of time.
“I am concerned because they are allowed to deal with patients on a one-on-one basis, they prescribe medicines. The patients hardly understand them. Marami na kong natanggap na reklamo tungkol dito na nakumpirma namin. Are they supervised by Filipino doctors? Are they even allowed to practice medicine here,” Gordon said.
