ILOILO City – A medical doctor who went viral for discussing the “negative effects” of the vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) clarified she only wanted the public to make an “informed decision.”
Dr. Dolores Octaviano, an endocrinologist, stressed the importance of making informed decisions vis-à-vis the vaccination.
“Bal-an mo, morally obligated kita ‘di bala. May ginatawag kita nga patients’ rights. So, right sang isa ka pasyente nga makahimo sang ginatawag nga ‘informed decision.’ Indi kita makaobra sang ginapinsar naton nga hilway ukon free choice, freedom of choice kag informed decision kon wala kita kabalo sang positibo kag negatibo,” Octaviano explained in an interview over DYRI RMN Iloilo.
In an online program’s interview few weeks ago, Octaviano claimed that anti-coronavirus vaccines were carcinogenic and could destroy the body.
She also alleged that deaths from this “first time and experimental” vaccine would be greater than the deaths from COVID-19 that it is supposed to prevent.
The interview has gone viral, prompting the Philippine College of Physicians – Western Visayas Chapter (PCP-WV) headed by Dr. Aime Fabila to issue a statement countering what it dismissed as “fake news”.
“(We do) not and will never support, condone and tolerate” those “involved in the anti-vaccination campaign,” stressed the PCP-WV in a statement.
Octaviano, former president of Doctors For Life – Philippines whose advocacy focuses on preserving lives in natural ways, emphasized that doctors must explain not only the benefits but also the negative effects such as side effects and adverse effects of the vaccine.
She refused to comment on the alleged move of the PCP-WV to suspend her membership.
“Indi ko ya ka-kumentar sang ila gusto. Te amo ‘na ila gusto. Ang akon lang, gina-stress gid naton pirme nga sa pag-present naton sa mga pasyente ayhan sang procedure ukon bulong or anything nga itusok ukon ipatumar naton sa ila, eksplikar naton indi lamang ang benepisyo kay bal-an man naton gina-esplikar man ina sang gobyerno. Maayo gid kag nesisidad nga ihatag man naton kag ipa-intindi naton sa ila kon pwede pa lang, ano bala ang unod sina kag ano bala ang expected side effects kag recorded side effects,” Octaviano explained.
She added that once the patient is informed, it’s his or her right to decide to be vaccinated or not.
“Tama ka baskog sang kampanya sang gobyerno pero akon ‘ya wala ako sang malisya dira. Ang akon ‘ya nga indi bala kita pagbasulon pila ka adlaw… amo ‘na nga kon wala sang mahambal sang adverse side effects, ginapabalo ko na lang,” she added.
She further stressed that doctors can only educate their patients.
“How can we make an informed decision kon wala naton gina-inform… ang akon lang ‘ya, angkunon sang tagsa–tagsa ang iya decision. Ano man ang resulta, angkunon ‘ya para wala sia sang basulon,” she added.
Meanwhile, Octaviano also opined that natural ways and boosting the immune system can be promoted which is much less expensive.
“Kon sabagay kuntani kon i-promote naton ang natural lang, wala gasto ang gobyerno. Nami tani kon bisan natural lang, ipapag-on lang naton ang aton immune system para indi na kinahanglan maggasto ang gobyerno sang minilyon ukon binilyon pa nga kwarta,” Octaviano said./PN
