On protecton of newborns DOH welcomes PB’s proposed ordinances

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Health-7 is hopeful that the two proposed ordinances at the Cebu Provincial Board seeking for the protection of newborn babies in medical facilities in the province would be approved sooner.

DOH-7 information officer Suzette Jabonete said that it is very timely for the board members to propose measures on the protection of newborn babies as a result of the recent issue at the Cebu Puericulture Center and Maternity House where mouths of babies were reportedly taped.

The first ordinance, the "Anti-Mouth Sealing Ordinance of Cebu," is authored by Board Member Arleigh Sitoy and seeks to ban the use of tapes to seal the mouth of newborn babies.

"Maayo kaayo nga move, kaso lang, dapat before ma-approve ang kining ordinance, dapat mo-consult usa sila'g medical experts like the group of pediatricians para lig-on and credible ang ilang balaod," she said.

Under the proposed ordinance, a person who performs and 'induces' his personnel to commit the violation would be facing six-months imprisonment as and a fine of not more than P5,000.

On the other hand, a person who 'conspires' to cover up the violation would be slapped with a three-month imprisonment and a fine of not more than P3,000.

Jabonete said that public and private hospitals have policies and regulations and these establishments know already the protocol in handling newborn babies.

However, she said that there are special cases of newborn babies that must be considered by the lawmakers.

"Pero basin pod diay og lain ang ilang policy ug ang practice," she added.

The second ordinance, proposed by Board Members Sun Shimura and Jude Thaddeus Sybico, requires all public and private medical institutions in the province to install a Closed-Circuit Television camera in their nurseries to monitor the situation of babies and capture any misdemeanor being committed.

Jabonete said that this ordinance would be helpful since hospitals are businesses, too, that need to be protected.

"Maayo kaayo ni, labi na if naa'y mahitabo sa sulod, dali ra kaayo ma-trace," she said.

Proposed violators would be fined P10,000 on first offense; P30,000 on second offense; and P50,000 on third offense, and will also be penalized with the revocation of the institution's permit and filing of a criminal case.

Shimura and Sybico also want an inspection team, composed of the Cebu Provincial Police Office chief, chief of  the hospital, National Bureau of Investigation representative, among others, to do the mapping and monitoring of the hospitals to ensure full compliance with the ordinance. —/ATO (FREEMAN)