3:58 PM PT -- The general director of Punta Mita Hospital said in a statement to TMZ ... "Recently, there have been defamatory statements made on social media platforms aimed at our hospital and our doctors.
"Every decision and action taken by our medical staff is guided by their professional commitment to safeguard lives and ensure the best possible care for all those who seek our services."
The matter is under legal review, and "we remain confident that any misunderstandings will be clarified in due course," Dr. Luis López Avelar said, calling the accusations "unfounded" and "harmful."
Joe Francis claims a "sick person" is trying to extort him for money in Mexico, threatening to release police photos of him and sensitive information ... so Joe's telling his own version of events.
The "Girls Gone Wild" founder just posted the photos he claims he's being extorted over ... he says they show his injuries from an alleged incident back in March, when he says he was beaten and robbed at gunpoint near his huge estate in Punta Mita.
Joe says he was jogging by the golf course in the Punta Mita Resort, running by Bill Gates' house, with his bodyguard trailing behind in a Mercedes-Benz -- when 8 masked gunmen appeared and grabbed him, pulling him into the bushes at gunpoint.