SALAZAR, Jan Louis M NGEC 8, 2:30PM-3:30PM, T/Th

INTING, Marc Kenyth P 19/10/2023

GAMBA, Dave Christian S
BSMT, 3 Canopus
AN ANALYSIS OF THE KOKO PIMENTEL DILEMMA
 FACTS
1. Koko Pimentel works in the medicinal field.
2. Koko Pimentel is the breadwinner of his family.
3. Koko Pimentel looks after his old parents.
4. Koko Pimentel has little kids.
5. The COVID-19 is still happening.
6. Throughout the pandemic, healthcare staff are critical.
7. Entire hospitals have been forced to close because of the likely contact of a
single healthcare worker.
8. Healthcare staff were commonly pushed to their limits during the pandemic.
9. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is lacking at Koko Pimentel's hospital.
10. There was an uneven distribution of available equipment such as ventilators in
Koko Pimentel's hospital.
11. Koko Pimentel is possibly suffering from respiratory complications.
12. Koko Pimentel has possibly been infected with COVID-19.
13. Koko Pimentel faced an ethical obligation to care for his patients.

 ETHICAL ISSUES
1. Family Obligations vs. Patient Care: Balancing a healthcare practitioner's duty to
care for patients with the need to protect and support one's own family,
particularly aging parents, and children.
2. The moral dilemma of protecting one's own health as a healthcare professional
while upholding one's obligation to provide vital treatment to pandemic victims.
Patient treatment vs. self-preservation.
3. The issue of distributing scarce personal protective equipment (PPE) and
ventilators equitably among healthcare personnel while ensuring justice and
safety for all.
4. Sincerity and Transparency: To protect staff and stop the spread of COVID-19, it
is ethically required to reveal respiratory symptoms and any probable exposure,
despite potential professional and social discrimination.
 PRINCIPLES THAT HAVE A BEARING ON THE CASE
Beneficence, emphasizing care for patients; non-maleficence, emphasizing the
avoidance of harm to patients and family; fidelity, emphasizing loyalty to patient
interests; autonomy, recognizing Koko's right to protect his health; justice, ensuring
equitable resource distribution; and truthfulness and transparency, advocating honesty
and accountability in healthcare. These principles create the ethical framework within
which Koko must balance his dual responsibility to patients and family while considering
resource restrictions and transparency in a pandemic scenario.

 ALTERNATIVES
Koko Pimentel has numerous options in his ethical quandary. First, he can report
any respiratory symptoms and probable exposure, taking a brief leave of absence from
work to guarantee his family's and his colleagues' safety. Alternatively, he may continue
to work but request reassignment to a lower-risk position inside the hospital to limit his
exposure. Another alternative is to demand more fair resource allocation, including the
provision of proper personal protection equipment and ventilators to safeguard all
healthcare professionals. Each option has its own ethical issues and repercussions.

 COMPARISON OF THE ALTERNATIVES WITH THE PRINCIPLES

Reporting symptoms is consistent with the principles of beneficence, non-
maleficence, and honesty, and prioritizes patient and colleague safety. Seeking
reassignment protects autonomy and justice by reducing personal danger. Demanding
equitable resource allocation stems from the notion of justice, which seeks to promote
fairness in resource distribution. Each possibility respects distinct ethical values, and
Koko must carefully examine which combination best balances these ideals given his
own position.

 ASSESSMENT OF CONSEQUENCES
The effects of Koko Pimentel's actions will differ depending on the option he
selects. While reporting symptoms and exposure is ethical, it may lead to social and
occupational prejudice. Seeking reassignment might preserve his health but put pressure
on the healthcare system. Demanding equitable resource allocation may result in
institutional improvements that benefit all healthcare professionals. Assessing the
repercussions necessitates examining both the short-term effects on his family and
coworkers as well as the long-term ramifications on healthcare resource allocation and
safety measures.

 DECISION
Koko Pimentel should emphasize patient and colleague safety by reporting any
respiratory symptoms and possible COVID-19 exposure. This option is consistent with
the ideals of beneficence, non-maleficence, and honesty. While it may provide personal
and professional problems, it is morally responsible and protects all those involved.