Dr. Atanascio Cob is Belize's only ear, nose and throat specialist. And while that's his calling card, it's hardly his claim to fame.
Chances are you know him from the headlines last November when he was sued for medical malpractice by a former client. The landmark one million-dollar lawsuit made for good copy but very nearly ruined the practice he had spent close to two decades building.
Though his name was cleared in court, for many, the public confidence in this ENT Specialist remains shaky. That would be enough to drive many doctors to despair, but today we found that Dr. Cob has re-invented himself, as he wrestles with the public responsibility of a private practitioner.
Keith Swift Reporting,
Seeing Dr. Atanascio Cob working today, it is hard to believe that six months ago an almost $1,000,000 malpractice lawsuit hung over the head of Belize's only ear, nose, and throat and specialist. What's more is that up until a month ago, the faith of the practice he spent close to two decades building hung in the balance.
Dr. Atanascio Cob,
"As you all know, in the court of public opinion I was convicted. Of course beyond that we have a justice system and justice was served fairly. I am fully vindicated and that is behind me now."
"For those people who I know or who know me, it really didn't make any difference. Those patients kept coming to see me and I have been at their service since. For new patients, some people still are fearful. For an example, last week I saw a lady from Punta Gorda who didn't come to see because she was fearful I would tear her throat. So she went to someone else and spent about $700 and they didn't diagnose her condition. Her condition needed a simple examination and we would have diagnosed her problem. I think that they will slowly, slowly come back."
So instead of recoiling and seeking refuge - doctor cob recovered and is refocusing his energy. He admittedly has less clients and with the extra free time he has undertaken a tour of primary schools giving free ear, nose, and throat clinics.
Dr. Atanascio Cob,
"After my trial that you all know about, it has given me some time to reflect and to be grateful for the knowledge I have in ENT. And the way I have practicing medicine is solely dedicated to private practice and I have realized that so many other people need my special services. People like children who are underprivileged cannot afford good medical practice and here I am the only Belizean ENT specialist in the country. I think I can contribute to my community by making a positive impact on the lives of needy children."
Dr. Cob started today at St. Luke's Methodist School where he treated 60 students. Some students suffered from sinus problems while others just had wax buildup. All of these are problems, which the Dr. says can affect learning.
Dr. Atanascio Cob, ENT Specialist
"Most of the kids who I saw were complaining about ear problems. Some children had ear problems due to a terrible sinus infection, which they had been having for a long time. Others had a chronic middle ear infection and so they cannot hear good, they cannot learn, and that impairs their development both in school and socially."
And Belize's only otolaryngolist says that they are simple things we all can do to keep our ear, nose, and throat healthy. And here is one that might be surprising: excessive cleaning of your ears with a 'Q-tip' does more harm than good.
Dr. Atanascio Cob,
"People should check their ears once a year. And that does not only go for ear, nose, and throat but it also goes for the whole body."
"Once a year you should get a full check. And with regards to cleaning your ears, it is not really recommended for you to clean your ears. The ear produces wax that has anti-bacterial properties so it protects your ear canal."
Keith Swift,
"So people should not clean their ears?"
Dr. Atanascio Cob,
"Yes. If they want to clean their ears then they should use just a small q-tip and basically only clean on the outside. Do not put the q-tip further in because that tends to push the wax further inside and eventually the wax hardens and the ear cannot remove on its own."
So it seems adversity has returned the doctor to the roots of his practice seeking refuge in the open air clinics of those who need his services the most.
Dr. Cob will be at Grace Primary School on Thursday and at St. John's Vianney Primary next Monday. He plans to continue his tour of schools when classes resume in September.