DOH: Sanctions will be imposed if baby died due to malpractice

CEBU, Philippines - Department of Health-7 Director Jaime Bernadas yesterday assured that if the investigation into the death of a baby born at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center would show it was a result of malpractice, appropriate sanctions in accordance with the law would be implemented.

It was earlier reported that circumstances into the death of baby boy Torreon was “suspicious” because the newborn’s head was almost detached and that the parents were told of his death only 13 hours later.

VSMMC earlier said the infant was stillborn because he got choked by his umbilical cord that wound around his neck.

The mother, though, said the child was still alive on September 13 when she had her ultrasound in another hospital.

Yesterday, Bernadas said while the baby was prematurely delivered at 21 weeks and was still “pre-viable” or not sufficiently developed yet to survive outside the uterus, they would still look into what happened.

The baby’s parents have already formalized their complaint against VSMMC before DOH-7.

“Even before the formal complaint, the fact-finding committee was already formed….

An initial report was submitted to us by the hospital and we furnished (DOH) Secretary (Enrique) Ona. We need to know what happened,” Bernadas said.

The baby’s 29-year-old mother, who was five months pregnant, first went to the Eversely Childs Sanitarium hospital in Mandaue City.

Based on the referral slip from Eversely to the VSMMC, the mother was complaining of intense hypogastric pain that led to pre-term labor after being diagnosed with urinary tract infection.

Prior to sending the patient to VSMMC in Cebu City on September 14, Eversely attending doctor Cyrus Romuga noted that the fetal heart rate was “not appreciated” or cannot be detected. The baby was also in a “breech position” or in a feet first instead of the normal head first position, hence the referral to VSMMC, which is a tertiary level hospital.

The same referral slip was also marked with “G2P0010,” which Bernadas explained means that it was the mother’s second pregnancy and that the first one was a miscarriage.

VSMMC management formed a seven-man fact-finding committee to look into the incident as ordered by Medical Director Gerardo Aquino, Jr. on September 15, or a day after the baby was delivered.

The team is led by Doctor Regina Melodia while the members were Maricon Esparagoza; Ampario Comia; and Doctors Ramon Najarro, Christopher Samson, Mari Leo Fidel Pataray, and Bonifacio David.

A turnaround time of three to five days was given for the committee to conduct a thorough investigation to identify possible lapses, if any, and to clarify points raised by the complaining family.

Meanwhile, Bernadas yesterday emphasized the importance of pregnant women not missing their prenatal checkups.

He said complications that may lead to death of either the mother or the baby could be prevented if due checkup is done.

“It is very important that a pregnant woman submits herself to at least four prenatal checkups. This way, possible complications may be avoided and prevented,” he told reporters.

The DOH-7 chief said those who are considered as high risk and must regularly have themselves checked by their obstetricians are those mothers below 21 years old and those above 35 years old.  (FREEMAN)