Couple asks Ombuds to probe Badian nurse for death of child

CEBU, Philippines - A couple has asked the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas to investigate a government nurse assigned at the Badian District Hospital for alleged negligence during delivery, which resulted to the death of their child.

Welmar and Marieta Abrinica of Poblacion West, Moalboal asked the anti-graft office to place Gregoria Diez under investigation for allegedly leaving Marieta alone at the hospital’s delivery room when she was about to deliver her child last April 29.

In yesterday’s weekly radio program of the Ombudsman over dyLA, Marieta told graft investigator Jane Aguilar that Diez still listened to the child’s heartbeat using a stethoscope but when she told the nurse that the baby was about to come out, Diez allegedly left her alone in the delivery room supposedly to call for help from other hospital personnel.

Marieta said she was forced not to bear down for fear that the baby would fall to the floor.

It reportedly took about five minutes before Diez returned to the delivery room together with Dr. Emilda Peque. Marieta later learned that her baby was stillborn.

The doctor reportedly told them that the baby died of respiratory disease syndrome.

Marieta said she even heard Peque reprimand Diez for what happened but Diez allegedly blamed her for the very quick labor.

The couple said ultrasound results would show that the baby was healthy prior to the delivery. Likewise, they themselves reportedly heard the baby’s heartbeat through the stethoscope while Marieta was still on labor.

Marieta was brought to the Badian District Hospital morning on April 29 when she started to experience labor pains.

Diez would be made to formally answer the allegations during investigation. — Fred P. Languido/JMO (THE FREEMAN)