Council chides hospital chief

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Council has criticized Cebu City Medical Center administrator Dr. Eduardo Sedoripa for saying that he will first seek Mayor Michael Rama’s permission before giving a report on last week’s incident to the council.    

The council is conducting a separate investigation into the February 20 incident, in which three newborn babies suffered burn injuries when a lamp at the pediatric Intensive Care Unit exploded.

“I’m surprised that he (Sedoripa) said that. What he said is uncalled for and makes him look stupid especially that the request is coming from the council. He can ask (Mayor) Rama if he wants to but just reminding him that’s public documents. He can go to jail if he doesn’t give it,” Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young said in a text message to The FREEMAN.

“Why change of mind? He (Sedoripa) assured us last Thursday that he would give a copy of the report and a waiver. Parents of at least two of the three babies had not received copies of the waivers they were asked to sign. Why? Does this also need clearance from the mayor? ” Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña said.

Rama said he already received Sedoripa’s report last Saturday but added that he would not divulge it since what was submitted to him was already reported in the newspapers.

 “I have the report which he submitted to me yesterday (Saturday). It’s more on the incident report,” said Rama, who had created a committee to look into the incident headed by city administrator Jose Marie Poblete.

But after learning that a report has already been submitted to the mayor, Osmeña said: “What can I say? Does that mean the “incident” report submitted after six days warrants further investigation? (It) seems we are faced with more questions than answers.” 

The council had asked Sedoripa to furnish it a copy of the report on the incident, including the waiver that the parents of the victims made to sign after the incident.

Young said they only wanted to know what really happened during the incident in order for them to be guided should there be a need for legislation.

The incident was only reported to the media on February 24 when Osmeña received a text message about it. She immediately informed her colleagues about the incident.

Osmeña, along with Councilors Alvin Dizon and Edgardo Labella, and north district Rep. Rachel “Cutie” del Mar, then went to the hospital to check on the situation of the victims.

Sedoripa told the media that he had informed Rama right after the incident. Rama only visited the hospital last Thursday. Sedoripa, according to Osmeña, promised to give them a copy of the report today.

“What are they hiding? We are not looking something bad and nobody wants that to happen. I’m not pointing my fingers to them,” she said.

Dizon, Labella and Councilor Sisinio Andales said the report is a public document, believing that there is no need for Sedoripa to seek approval from the mayor.

“We, the members of the city council, have the right to know the results of the investigation so we can come up with our legislative proposals and recommendations on the patient’s safety and public health,” Dizon said.

“If he (Sedoripa) has nothing to (hide from) the council why not furnish us copies thereof. Whether he will like or not, he can be forced to furnish therein. Let us not create doubt of the real score of the incident,” Andales said. 

As of yesterday, Baby Boy Villarico, who suffered third degree burns, still remains at the ICU of Chong Hua Hospital. Baby Boy Ybañez, who is now out of danger, was already released from the ICU. — /LPM (FREEMAN)