Willing victims warned on benefits vs. risks
(Last of two parts)
The fate of at least 200 hundred women mostly belonging to the "upper class A and B" of the society may as well be hanging on the fine line of aesthetic surgery benefits and aesthetic surgery risks.
Authorities and medical professionals privy to the situation can only sigh in desperation and disbelief. The questions hang – How can these women entrust themselves and their lives in the hands of an unlicensed and fake doctor to 'beautify' their looks? How can these women, mostly professionals at that, allow medical procedures inside the confines of a hotel minus the mandated sterility and sanitation for their own safety? Is a quick repair of a sagging cheek, prominent eyebug, unprominent cheekbone and not so sharp nose worth the clear, present and fatal danger of infection?
Experts are one in saying that infection or Asepsis is the basic concern in aesthetic surgery. Best guaranteed in a hospital or hospital-like setting, the procedures that have evaded Ilonggo authorities were clear examples of high-risk medical practices, illegal at that here.
Worse, 'one-size-fits-all' too as in the cases of Rhinoplasty cum nose jobs of one Tagalog-speaking man described to be in his 60s. Patients identified this man as either Eugene De Rosa, Dr. Eugene De Rossa, or Dr. De Rossi. One Ilongga matron even boasted knowing the man as supposedly behind the many surgeries of movie stars with a clinic near Luneta in Manila. Others reached by The News Today (TNT) albeit seeking anonymity to this day thought he was a real doctor.
None however "fully" saw the man who in the many years he has done aesthetic surgeries in Iloilo faced his patients with a surgical mask always on. Nobody actually dared to ask or thought anything was wrong with it. And the services were always in cash with not a single handwritten prescription thereafter.
"Medical service based on trust," was how one placed it until series of morbidities were reported to the Iloilo Medical Society (IMS). Some were severe such as in the case of one patient in her 50s. She had to have corrective treatment done on an infected nose and paid three times that what she paid "Dr. De Rossi."
While others now seeking regular care post the irregular procedure have the particular "De Rossa-look" – one like a top government official of the region visibly scarred.
House Bill 00802 passed then by Akbayan Representative Loreta Ann Rosales moved to regulate the cosmetic surgeries in the Philippines. Said House Bill was adopted and referred to the Health Committee of the 13th Congress. Unfortunately, no clear update or development to date.
Meantime, the warning from Department of Health (DOH) Manila – "Only licensed businesses or what are known as Ambulatory Surgical Clinics (ASCs) are allowed to perform non-emergency surgical treatment for out-patients."
ASC procedures are treatment of the eyes, colon, ligament, reproductive, pediatric, plastic and reconstructive surgeries among others.
Further still, ASCs are required by law to be manned by doctors who are suitable qualified, skilled and board-certified or board eligible by the Philippine Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons.
Thus far, DOH accredited ASCs in the country is only at 53 nationwide, 21 of which are located in Metro Manila.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III issued the warning with an appeal to the local government units – monitor beauty parlors doing cosmetic surgeries. None thus far has been issued against hotels.
"By allowing the unlicensed doctor to perform the procedure, you, as willing victim exposes yourself not only to an illegal act but a highly-dangerous medical procedure. Do you think your fake doctor truly cares if you get infected? Remember, complications and infections happen in the longterm period. My unsolicited advice for the patients – have yourselves tested for Hepa B and HIV," one cosmetic surgeon shared.