Death of boy, 2, in City of Naga: Hospital accused of negligence

CEBU, Philippines — A grieving mother has taken to social media to express her frustration and anger over the alleged medical negligence that she believed led to her child's death at Vicente Mendiola Infirmary in the City of Naga, Cebu.

Last Sept. 17, “Mea” cried foul over the infirmary's handling of her two-year-old boy’s treatment, claiming delays in the medical intervention and him being “misdiagnosed” worsened his condition, ultimately resulting in his passing.

In an exclusive interview with The Freeman, she said that last Sep. 2, her son complained of stomach pains so they had him undergo an ultrasound scan.

Because the child was growing weak, he was admitted at the said infirmary and a dextrose solution was attached to him, as procedure.

Mea said that her child’s condition deteriorated and his body did not show signs of improvement even after three days.

“Nagsige sila’g inject sa akong anak, gipataas pa nila ang dosage. Nisalig ra mi kay health center ra ba sila unya ang purpose nila is motabang og kinabuhi, mo-extend og life,” Mea said.

She claimed that the hospital staff failed to provide an accurate diagnosis when her child initially lost consciousness, allegedly stating the boy had meningitis.

“Walay CT scan nga gi basehan para sa meningitis. Gi-base ra nila sa meningitis kay ang fact nga ga-seizure siya,” Mea said.

She further alleged that attempts to transfer the child to a private facility for urgent care were met with discouragement by the doctor in the infirmary.

Mea, 22, said no priority was given for her child’s transfer to a better medical facility even when her son was already unconscious for two days.

She said that it was only on Sept. 9, or seven days after, that her child was transferred to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC), allegedly by their own effort and not as an initiative by the hospital.

After finally obtaining a CT scan, it was discovered that the child suffered from hydrocephalus and he had a cyst on his brain.

Mea said VSMMC quizzed her why her child was left unconscious for two days instead of being rushed to a better-equipped medical facility.

Unfortunately, the child passed away on Sept. 15.

Mea said they are now seeking accountability, questioning why proper protocols were not followed and why there was no immediate transfer instituted by the hospital despite the critical condition of her son.

In a separate interview, City of Naga Mayor Valdemer "Val" Chong told The Freeman that an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the child's case will be made. He vowed not to lose focus on the matter.

He said he would meet with Mea and her family and discuss what happened.  Mea said she was determined to seek justice for her firstborn.

"Og naa lay laban gusto gyud ta mi (moreklamo). Ngano dili man namo pangusgan nga kinabuhi pa gyud ang nawala sa akong anak. Og gitarong lang gyud unta mi og dala ba,” she said. —/RHM (FREEMAN)