Ecuadorian doctor asks for 15 days of medical leave after filming patient

SANTIAGO.- Following the request of Minister of Health Álvaro Erazo for his resignation and without issuing statements to the prosecutor in charge of the administrative investigation at the La Calera Hospital, Ecuadorian doctor José Pérez Gascante, who ordered his assistants to film him while operating on a patient, has presented a 15 day medical leave.

"The doctor presented the 15-day medical leave yesterday, which has prevented the prosecutor in charge of the case from taking an official statement from him and he won't be able to do so until he returns from leave", the Health Service Director of Viña del Mar, Dafne Secul, told Radio Cooperativa.

Secul added that she was not able to comment on the situation of other authorities involved in the case, since the investigation is begin performed internally.

The director also indicated that, depending on the conclusions of the investigation, there could be several different penalties instated, from an official report of non-compliance –which would remain on his record— to removal from his position.

The director announced that she would be meeting with the relatives of the victims to personally apologize and get their input concerning possible charges.