Carasi RHU chief resigns

By Dominic B. dela Cruz

Staff Reporter

Carasi, Ilocos Norte—Citing “unfriendly and unhealthy working environment”, Dr. Jerwin Johnted Asuncion filed his irrevocable resignation as Carasi’s rural health unit chief.

The resignation letter was addressed to Carasi Mayor Rene Villa Gaspar and effective April 15, 2014.

Asuncion admitted that his decision to resign stemmed from an incident where a patient died due to a puncture wound. The victim was identified as George B. Ganojera, who suffered the wound from accidentally stepping on a nail.

Blamed

Asuncion was later blamed for the incident as he allegedly did not attend to the victim immediately. To exacerbate the situation, Asuncion was also alleged to have injected the wrong drug.

The incident transpired on January 20 wherein Ganojera went to the RHU seeking medical assistance for his wound. According to Asuncion, the victim was immediately attended to. The victim was also instructed to undergo a tetanus toxoid and amoxicillin treatment thrice daily for seven days.

Asuncion related that Ganojera was also advised to be vaccinated with anti-tetanus (ATS), which was not available at the Carasi RHU. The victim however reportedly replied: “Didiay latta adda ditoyen, doc, isu lattan [Just give me what is available here, doctor].”

Asuncion added that he did what the victim asked and he advised him further to return to the RHU if the wound is aggravated.

On January 28, Ganojera returned to the RHU for follow up treatment and Asuncion found his wound to be dirty and apparently inflamed. The doctor asked the victim to wash the wound. Ganojera also reportedly told Asuncion that he only took the prescribe medicines thrice. The victim also complained of difficulty opening his mouth with numbness in his lower jaw.

Upon hearing this, Asuncion said he told the victim to seek further medical evaluation and management as well as to see a specialist. He then recommended a certain Dr. Pacis.

The recommended doctor however was unavailable and the victim proceeded to Ranada General Hospital in Laoag City.

Asuncion was later informed that the hospital staff administered 500 IU of tetagam to the victim but was not admitted. The hospital reasoned that the case was “grave”, according to Asuncion. As a result the victim returned home.

On January 29, the victim went to the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center in Batac City. On February 1, Ganojera passed away.

Neglect of duty memo

On February 12, Asuncion received a memo from Gaspar ordering him to explain in 72 hours why he should not be administratively charged for “neglect of duty”.

In his response to the memo, Asuncion explained what transpired in detail—beginning from the check up at the RHU as he stressed that “I am not an insurer to the good result of the treatment.”

Asuncion said he believes he did his best in treating the victim and there was no neglect of duty on his part. He stressed that he advised the victim to have shots of ATS and his only shortcoming was that he did not insist this.

The doctor added that one factor that may have aggravated the case was the state of the wound which he observed to be exposed to dirt and moisture.

Asuncion also clarified that the tetanus toxoid which he injected to the victim was not only intended for pregnant women as the rumors that have come out says.

“Tetanus toxoid is a tetanus toxoid na [that is] anti tetanus na hindi lang para sa buntis, binibigay din namin sa mga taong nasusugatan [which is not only for pregnant women but also for wounded persons],” Asuncion explained.

Asuncion also admitted that he has apologized to the mayor but not because of any wrongdoing as far the incident was concerned but because of the demise of the victim.

He also strongly believes that the people of Carasi still respects him because the people are still going to him for medical assistance.

“Just to make it clear, nag-resign ako dahil hindi ako [I resigned not because I’m] guilty at wala ako dapat ika-guilty kasi [and I don’t have anything to be guilty about] my conscience is clear at ginawa ko lang iyong tama [I only did what was right],” Asuncion said.

Losing trust

Asuncion however also accepted that although some still trust him, there are also other who no longer do because of this issue. He disclosed that no one is consulting with him medically anymore during his weekend private clinic schedule.

He also emphasized that his medical license has not been revoked contrary to rumors.

Asuncion further divulged that he filed his resignation on March 21, 2014, citing that he was no longer comfortable working at the RHU, especially after he learned that the victim was Gaspar’s relative.

Records show that, Asuncion served Carasi for almost four years and for this he thanked the mayor and the people for welcoming him and for the experiences and skills he gained.

At present, Asuncion was hired by two big private hospitals while he awaits his schedules for his residency training.

Reacting to this, Gaspar admitted in a phone interview that he already approved the Asuncion’s resignation.

Gaspar also revealed that he has no longer has the trust for  Asuncion adding that there is no more reason for the said doctor to work in Carasi.

The mayor said that the posting for the hiring of new RHU chief in Carasi will be posted after the Holy Week.

He also stressed that it would be up to the Ganojera’s family if they would press charges against Asuncion.