By LEILANIE ADRIANO

LAOAG CITY — A government doctor recently dismissed from service failed to win an appeal at the Civil Service Commission. The appeal was meant to lessen his offense for neglecting a patient at the Gov. Roque B. Ablan Memorial Hospital (GRBASMH).

But the CSC favored an earlier decision of the provincial government through a recommendation of the hospital management council dismissing Dr. Baldomero “Bong” Tapia Jr. from government service. The CSC, however, modified the offense from grave misconduct to gross neglect of duty, simple dishonesty and conduct grossly prejudicial to the best interest of the service when no doctor was available to treat a patient rushed at the government-owned hospital Tapia, at that time, was the doctor-on-duty.

As a consequence, Tapia, an orthopedic specialist, can no longer hold any public office along with the cancellation of his civil service eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits and barred from taking civil service exams, said in a 12-page decision signed by Commissioner Mary Ann Fernandez-Mendoza.

The complaint arose from an incident about three years ago at the GRBASMH wherein a comatose patient was admitted at the emergency room.

Relatives alleged that doctors on duty were not at their respective posts during the crucial period when their patient badly needed medical attention.

When reached for comment, Dr. Tapia said he is planning to file a motion for reconsideration at the CSC even if the latter already denied his appeal twice.

In light of the decision, Dr. Llewelyn Santos, chief of hospital said the recent CSC decision however does not prohibit Dr. Tapia to engage in private practice.

Santos said that after his dismissal, Dr. Tapia applied as visiting consultant of the GRBASMH and it was approved.

“His license as a medical practitioner was not revoked so he is allowed to continue his private practice,” Dr. Santos added. # nordis.net