VSMCC probes death of boy

CEBU, Philippines - A fact-finding team was formed by the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center to look into accusations of negligence of medical professional, which allegedly led to the death of a seven-year-old boy.

Pediatrics department chief, Dr. Ramon Najarro, said the management is addressing the matter sparked by an online post that garnered hundreds of reposts.

“The Department of Pediatrics is still reviewing the data and incident reports submitted by the involved doctors. We also need to coordinate with the nurses to check out validity of details. The hospital has designated Dr. Gina Melodia to head a fact-finding panel. I am not aware if a formal complaint has been filed before the Special Concerns Division,” Najarro told The Freeman in a text message.

Najarro said no time frame for the investigation has been set, as it would depend on the progress in gathering data.

Najarro was appointed official spokesperson on the matter as the issue concerns the pediatrics department, which he chairs.

Nonoy Mongaya of the Office of Special Concerns said no formal complaint has been filed by the family of the boy as of yesterday.

The Department of Health, for its part, said it cannot act on the issue just yet as no complaint was also filed with the agency.

“We cannot comment on that issue for the moment because the hospital has to settle the matter first. As per protocol, The family has to formalize their complaint before the hospital for them to investigate. If they are not satisfied with how they were handled, then they can come to us,” DOH 7 information officer Suzette Jabonete told The Freeman.

A certain Claudine Rocina posted on Facebook the supposed experience of his cousin who was brought to the hospital due to stomach pain. The boy, however, died four days after.

The Freeman tried to reach Rocina also via Facebook but did not receive a response as of yesterday. –(FREEMAN)