UNDER THE MICROSCOPE On Dec. 1, 2023, the Bayanihan Covid-19 Laboratory Network Recognition Ceremony was held in Makati City. There, we from the Philippine Childrens Medical Center (PCMC) had a reunion of sorts with fellow Covid-19 testing-laboratory staffs from all over the Philippines, whom we...
UNDER THE MICROSCOPE Recently, I attended an HLA (Human Leucocyte Antigens) conference in connection with organ transplantation, both solid organ and stem cell. The common lament was that in the Philippines, very few deceased-donor organ donations are made. In fact, it is...
UNDER THE MICRCOSCOPE Two weeks after my column (Sad day for doctors, sadder still for patients, Oct. 31, 2023) detailed the tragic conviction and death during incarceration of Iggy Agbayani, the issue continues to simmer. Coincidentally, a business newspaper columnist also discussed the Iggy case...
UNDER THE MICROSCOPE Recently, House Bill 8820, titled “An Act Promoting the Adequate Supply of Blood Plasma, Authorizing the Collection, Storage, and Commercial Distribution of Blood Plasma and for Other Purposes,” was filed in the House of Representatives, which will allow commercial...
UNDER THE MICROSCOPE The recent incident of Iggy Agbayani’s incarceration and death has triggered a rethinking of the patient-doctor relationship. From a doctor’s standpoint, one might ask if all the time and sacrifices made to be one is worth it if a patient will go tooth and nail after your...
UNDER THE MICROSCOPE Having practiced pathology for the past 35 years, I believe I have the perspective on how laboratory regulation is done in this country. I’ve witnessed many instances of dysregulation. A prime example is HIV testing, which was deemed to be so sophisticated it...
UNDER THE MICROSCOPE We’ve seen how some of our roads and highways have been constructed, and literally, it makes me want to laugh with despair. Not only do some roads end nowhere, but even on city streets, we see utility poles sitting right on the roads, presenting a hazard to anyone not...
UNDER THE MICROSCOPE Once again, we have sensational news, this time of a schoolboy dying 11 days after allegedly being slapped by his teacher. Media went to town, and law enforcement officials are all over the newspapers, radio, and TV, being interviewed and offering their take on the matter, all...
UNDER THE MICROSCOPE A historic event happened on Aug. 24, 2023, when over a hundred mayors from all over the Philippines signed a pledge for good governance in the University of the Philippines Diliman, itself a hotbed of change. This was spearheaded by Mayors Benjamin Magalong (Baguio), Joy...
UNDER THE MICROSCOPE Modern medicine has grown by leaps and bounds since the mid-20th century. From basic physical examinations, we have progressed to delving into the molecular aspects of the human body. Nowadays, to be an expert in a specialty, you must have finished training and passed the...
UNDER THE MICROSCOPE Rabies is the most dreaded zoonotic disease that kills its victims with 100 percent efficiency. The Philippines’ rabies death toll is 250–300 cases a year. Rabies patients suffer a most horrible death. The facts justify the intense fear that grip animal-bite victims...
UNDER THE MICROSCOPE With the downgrading of Covid-19 from pandemic to endemic, our health system should be redirecting its priorities to other more prevalent and preventable infectious diseases. The following are the most prevalent and deadly infections/infestations that deserve a closer look: 1....
