Rama meets with parents of dead baby

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday met with the parents of the baby who died allegedly because of “malpractice” committed by the medical staff of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

“Being the father of the city, I just could not allow issues like that to be left yet uncovered,” Rama said, adding, that if the alleged malpractice will be proven, parties involved should be held liable.

Last September 14, the death of a baby boy was deemed “suspicious” after seen that the newborn’s head was almost detached from his neck.  VSMMC earlier claimed that the baby was stillborn because he got chocked by his umbilical cord.

However, the mother claimed that her child was still alive on September 13 during her last ultrasound in another hospital.

Rama referred the case to the city legal office Jerone Castillo.

“They were asking assistance kay base sa allegation sa inahan, it would appear that there seems to be a malpractice on the part sa doctors kay gipugos gyud ang bata pagpagawas despite nag-lisod siya kay nag-una ang tiil sa baby kaysa sa ulo,” Castillo said.

He said the city government will provide legal assistance to the parents even if they are not residents of the city since the alleged malpractice happened within the jurisdiction of the city.

“We can always provide assistance in what-ever manner puwede sad in preparation of the affidavits, but we will look into the facts gyud,” he said.

“It would appear to me that they are really interested in seeking justice for what happened to the child,” Castillo added.

Castillo said that when he told the parents to give his office a copy of the final report of the autopsy within this week.

 “Ana sila ang nag-conduct sa autopsy report allegedly said that there was something wrong with what really happened kuno, but I will not finalize anything, unless I’ll get the autopsy report,” he said.

He said that the office will advise the parents on whether or not to pursue the filing of the complaints after evaluation of the autopsy report.  (FREEMAN)