PLUNDER WATCH
Erap Et Al: Our Doctors Can Do It

From Code Red for Good Governance:

“There is no real emergency in Estrada’s long-time illnesses. The real motive is their desperate search for sanctuary rather than cure for his illnesses which in fact are readily available even in our government hospitals.
“Cataract extraction, a 30-minute to one-hour procedure, is done regularly even by training residents of the Philippine General Hospital and other government hospitals. It is an out-patient procedure nowadays needing no hospitalization at all.

“On Estrada’s osteoarthritic knee, diagnostic arthroscopy, a minor surgical procedure to look into the knee joint, and even knee-joint replacement are already being done successfully at the Philippine Orthopaedic Hospital.  Private hospitals such as St. Luke’s, Makati Medical and Capitol Medical are other options, A US-based orthopaedic surgeon has also set up the Philippine Orthopaedic Institute which has its own manufacturing plant for knee and other joint replacements.

“The  medical plot smacks of double-standard and is an insult to our excellent doctors. Should Erap be granted a US trip, its not only our health system that is put into question but more importantly the judicial system.”

From Philippine Academy of Opthalmology:

“Philippine opthalmology [is] world-class, world-renowned...

“...With the advanced and world-class state of opthalmology in the Philippines today, cataract surgery, in all its forms, is performed routinely on patients throughout the country...”

From  Philippine Orthopaedic Association:

“We would like to assure the public  that our organization has the capability and expertise to treat all kinds of Orthopaedic problems...

“... Medical centers and some government institutions have procured equipments appropriate for these problems including pre- and post-operative rehabilitation care by trained Rehabilitation Medical Specialists and medical management by competent Filipino Rheumatologists.

“Because of this imporvment in the care of arthritic patients, an increasing number of our Filipino patients who can afford to go abroad for treatment have now availed of these excellent care [locally].

“The answer is clear therefore that total care of the arthritic patient is readily available in the Philippines. This includes availability of implants and instrumentations for total joint replacements, as marketed by one local manufacturer and three other big international orthopaedic companies through its distributors.”