'We'll stick to truth'

MANILA, Philippines — The doctors of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will testify on her medical condition if asked to do so by the courts or the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. St. Luke’s Medical Center Vice President for Corporate Affairs Marilen Lagniton assured this Thursday as she said Mrs. Arroyo’s doctors will “stick to the truth” when asked to testify on the former Chief Executive’s condition which she claimed necessitates her treatment abroad.

Lagniton, however, gave two conditions before doctors could disclose a full report of the patient’s status: 1) The patient agrees to the release of the medical report; and 2) A court order for the medical records’ release.

“Unless the patient will have consent or will agree to it and there will be a Court order, the medical records will not be released... We are bound by patient confidentiality,” she said.

Lagniton said Arroyo’s doctors are also willing to face a Senate inquiry should they be summoned to explain the condition of the former Chief Executive.

Earlier, the leadership of the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) said that they are mulling the creation of a team to examine the medical condition of former President Arroyo who has been placed under arrest after a case of electoral sabotage was filed against her before a Pasay City Regional Trial Court.

The PMA said the team will be formed after lawyers and representatives of Mrs. Arroyo claimed that there are no qualified doctors in the country capable of treating her.

Malacañang also asked Mrs. Arroyo’s doctors to speak out regarding her true condition.

Doctors of Mrs. Arroyo continues to monitor her condition after medical tests showed that she is suffering from pain in her cervical spine.

Mrs. Arroyo has also been under bed rest in the last 48 hours.

Dr. Juliet Cervantes, Arroyo’s personal physician, had earlier said that Mrs. Arroyo will have to stay in the hospital for a few more weeks as she is suffering from hypoparathyroid disease.

Cervantes said Mrs. Arroyo has not been eating properly and has been very weak due to stress.

Mrs. Arroyo is also under intravenous or (IV) intake to supply her nutritional needs due to anorexia, an eating disorder characterized by refusal to maintain a healthy body weight and an obsessive fear of gaining weight.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) had earlier asked the Pasay RTC to summon Mrs. Arroyo’s doctors to determine whether she indeed needs to remain under hospital arrest.

Likewise, prosecutors also sought the testimony of Arroyo’s doctors before the Supreme Court after he camp claimed that the procedure required to treat her could not be done in the Philippines because of lack of facilities, and the absence of doctors who can do it.

However, a source said that one of Arroyo’s doctors confirmed that her condition is not life-threatening to require treatment abroad, adding she is now on her way to recovery.

The Arroyo doctor, whose name was withheld, revealed this vital information to a ranking police official, who declined to be identified as he is not authorized to talk about the case.

In a letter to a ranking government official, a copy of which was obtained by the Manila Bulletin, the police official said that the physical ailments earlier voiced out by the former President have already been addressed as disclosed by the doctor.

Arroyo’s complaints such as pain on her neck, lower back, and left legs could be healed by simple physical therapy.

It has also been determined that Arroyo’s drastic weight loss is caused by anorexia, secondary to stress.

To end all speculations, Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona Thursday suggested that Arroyo’s doctors release a medical bulletin.

Ona said the medical bulletin may also be issued by St. Luke’s Medical Center, explaining the true condition of the former President.

“The public hears a lot from her lawyers. I think it is better if a medical bulletin is issued by her doctors or by the hospital. Also, we must not make our own interpretations,” Ona said.

To avoid breach of doctor-patient confidentiality, Ona said the patient must agree with the report that will be released by the doctors or the hospital.

Ona also said that a person who underwent a major operation is usually prone to depression or a period of anxiety.

“As a doctor, we know the so-called psychological effects other than the so-called recuperation. It is very natural for a person who had a major operation to experience depression or a period of anxiety. If a person becomes seriously ill, that person begins to think about vulnerability because the patient passes through that period where he or she could have really died… The person becomes inactive upon waking up or feels weak.”

David Cagahastian & Francis Wakefield, Manila Bulletin