Monday, February 1, 2010

The painless piles fix squabble

Yesterday's ST carried a curious report about a squabble about painless piles surgery.

Dr Peter Goh had apparently made claims through an advertisement about the Transanal Haemorrhoidal Dearterialization (THD) being a 'painless' procedure. This claim brought forth a response from the Presidents of the Society of Colorectal Surgeons (Singapore) and the ASEAN Society of Colorectal Surgeons, as well as a past President for the Singapore Society. It wasn't very clear in the report, but it appeared that these latter surgeons had countered Dr Goh's advertisement by writing a letter, apparently to the newspapers.

It just seemed strange that the surgeons had chosen the newspapers as a means to settle a professional difference of opinion. If Dr Goh was making a false claim in the advertisement, shouldn't the Societies make their complaint to the Singapore Medical Council?

Curious...

4 comments:

nofearSingapore said...

Hi Gig,
I don't know if the typo was intentional but I don't think the doctor think THAT highly of himself as to call himself GOD.
I know a bit behind what's behind the whole rigmarole but if I tell anyone- I would have to kill him/her.
Yes, it is confirmed that the ST is the de-facto journal of choice and required reading for all Singaporeans. Could it be it is perceived that writing to ST would lead to some action but not the other avenue which probably leads to committees and inquiries which may lead to some action (or not) only after about 2-3 years? Eh?

gigamole said...

haha...yes it was a typo....now corrected.

I thought it was a bit of a storm in the teacup....since it seems a bit of semantics between painless and less pain.. :) after all untreated piles isn't exactly a painless condition.

Sad to see doctor squabbles play out in the mainstream media instead of being dealt with in a more professional and dignified manner.

angry doc said...

Dr H, you obviously don't know Dr Goh... :)

nofearSingapore said...

Hi angrydoc:
On the contrary ...