We strongly condemn Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia’s public shaming of two doctors who criticized a recently released memorandum that required employees to do “tuob” (steam inhalation) as part of the province’s effort to fight Covid-19. Instead of addressing concerns and answering questions, Gov. Garcia threw a tantrum, replete with insults, threats, and feigned sarcasm, in an attempt to invalidate the medical concerns raised against her policies.
This act of doctor shaming reveals the true state of health workers in the country. Empty platitudes and exhortation as heroes are just lip service given the utter lack of support, absence of job security, and systematic exploitation of health workers.
Clearly, the issue is not “tuob” per se, or even the various health practices, including megadoses of vitamin C, being promoted by the governor. The crux of the matter is the insistence of the governor to impose her beliefs and for her word to be taken as medical fact. The governor believes that she is beyond reproach by virtue of her office.
The doctor-shaming that followed is a logical consequence of this warped sense of self-importance. The entire tenor of the governor’s rant against the doctors is “Who are you to challenge me?” It is nothing but an attempt to hide the abuse of her position.
THIS is the insolence of power.
It is insolence that roots itself from the kind of politics that has been ingrained in the Philippine system, producing politicians and “public servants” who do not hold themselves answerable to the people. It is an insolence borne by the death of democratic processes.
It is insolence that is even more dangerous than the current pandemic because it puts people at the mercy of those who do not have their welfare in mind.
If the country is to combat Covid-19, it should rid itself of this insolence. Because the other face of this insolence is impunity and the wanton disregard for rights. Doctor-shaming is but one manifestation of this impunity
Fight insolence. End impunity. Stop doctor-shaming.
Reference:
Gene Alzona Nisperos MD
(Mobile No. +63 915 3710757)
