Health

A doctor?s death and the dying health system

Dr. Bong Pe?era. (davaotoday.com photo by Barry Ohaylan)

DAVAO CITY (davaotoday.com) ? While more health workers chose to go abroad to look for greener pastures, Dr. Rogelio ?Bong? Pe?era, 45, opted to stay. But on June 24 this year, his killers took his life. His brother Carlos Pe?era said he learned from the neighbors that men aboard an L200 vehicle had been asking about Dr. Pe?era a few days before he was killed. Dr. Jean Lindo, a member of the doctors? group Rx for Peace, said that amidst the continuing migration of doctors out of the country, Pe?era?s death was a big loss. Read on.

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Peers of slain doctor worried over colleagues’ safety

Pe?era's name was not in the reported military list earlier leaked by Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo to the media. But groups like the United Integrated Health Services Foundation Incorporated (UIHSFI), where Pe?era used to sit as Board member, and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), where he was a council member, were. Dr. Jean Lindo, chair of the doctor's group Rx for Peace, said the killing of Pe?era has raised the concern of their colleagues over the safety of six other physicians identified in the military Order of Battle (OB) list. They included Dr. Ruben Robillo, Dr. Jose Lacuesta, Dr. Shalom Lorezana, Dr. Eugene Nalian, Dr. Rey Lasaka. The Philippine Medical Association (PMA) plans to call a meeting with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to clarify what?s on the document. Read on.

Continue ReadingPeers of slain doctor worried over colleagues’ safety