(my column for cavite reporter)

According to Wikipedia, medical malpractice is professional negligence by act or omission by a health care provider in which the treatment provided falls below the accepted standard of practice in the medical community and causes injury or death to the patient, with most cases involving medical error.[1] Standards and regulations for medical malpractice vary by country and jurisdiction within countries. Medical professionals may obtain professional liability insurances to offset the risk and costs of lawsuits based on medical malpractice.
But when It is medical malpractice or when you are just out of luck? and what would you do you if your relative is a victim?
Last June 5, 2015, my father was rushed to Lucena MMG General Hospital located at Lucena City, Quezon Province and had had immediate surgery. My father Cresencio P. Estrellado; 68 years old, retired, a loving father of three, diagnosed with acute Hernia, attending physician Dr. Juanito Reyes, underwent the operation on the same day he was brought to the hospital. He felt some pain for a couple of days which painkillers took care of but after that it was a little uncomfortable for 5 days, pus came from his wound or on his surgical incision. Delayed healing, the presence of pus, a foul smell, me and my family had no idea what went wrong until the doctor said that those were signs of surgical wound infections.
Unfortunately, after one week my father had the dressing changed and went back to the operation room. He did not hesitate in having another operation because we, the family wanted him to be healed, healthy, and well again. He still have one week to go home and have the stitches or the skin-closure devices removed said the doctor. He have lost weight after the two times operations, but he still managed to smile, telling clean jokes and story to the other people in the hospital, the nurses were all very fond of him. Me the proud daughter salutes her father for being brave, fighter, kind hearted, despite of the pain and struggles he was always cheerful, a man who always put his family first.
But on our third week at the hospital, while waiting for the discharge order from my father’s doctor, infections have occured for the second time. Me, together with my family was confused, and my father who was excited going home was disappointed, asked me if he’s going to die. To our surprised the surgeon have confirmed my father has to have another operation for the third time. Since then my family and my father constantly felt sick, worried and asked his attending physicians why he have to have another operation for the third time. I’m really surprised that the surgeon hasn’t tried to save my father and still invited the possibility of future problems and another operation.
From worry to anger, and dealing with the fear of losing a parent, me and my family, relatives and friends, pray together later that night for my father. Sadly, my father fainted after the operation and were given an electric shock and taken to ICU. But miraculously he survived the third and the final operation, God did answered our prayers.
My father underwent two previous operations from the past, the first operation was conducted in 2005 at Mount Carmel Hospital, while the second one was conducted in 2011 at Quezon Memorial Hospital, both located in Lucena City, the provincial capital of Quezon Province. Both surgical procedures of the past have a successful outcomes, but the last three operation that he had at the MMG Hospital nearly killed him, he had not been so fortunate. For a few weeks after every surgery, he was told not to eat or drink anything that caused him to be thin or malnourished.
My father was discharged from the hospital last September 5, 2015 in not so stable condition; his gallbladder removed, with stoma and at a greater risk of developing heart disease. We returned home to our new house in San Pablo City, Laguna and take care of him, but my father hasn’t been the same that moment anymore. At this time he was unable to sit, walk, or stand on his own, we’ve tried to help him sit but he can’t stand to sit for more than 15 mins, he became bedridden, hasn’t smiled like he smiles before, he’s gone quiet, melancholy, was deep in thought all the time and keeps saying things like he’s going to die.
After being discharged from the hospital me and my family took care of him and love him, upto his final hours. My dad died peacefully in his sleep last October 8, 2015, when me and my other siblings were still sleeping. Seeing your father stiff and not breathing on his bed with your own eyes was heartbreaking and depressing. But dealing with your dad’s death is even more difficult, painful and sad for any person. I am forever and will always be a daddy’s girl although my dad would not be here anymore.
I really don’t know the causes of his death or is he just stopped breathing, heart attack, dehydration, infection or was a case of medical malpractice. I remember one morning I went to talked to my father’s doctor and ask him my father’s condition why he need another operation, he answered, “I really don’t know”. You shouldn’t be a doctor then.
I don’t speak for myself, I only speak for my father for he will not speak for himself anymore and he hated trouble.
Rest in peace my wonderful father. See you in God’s time. — at MMG Hospital.