Baby in CCMC bulb explosion goes home

CEBU, Philippines -Baby Boy Harry Vincent Ybañez, one of three infants who suffered from burns in their faces and bodies when a bulb exploded at the pediatric ward of the city-owned government hospital, was already discharged yesterday afternoon after 20 days of recuperating in Chong Hua Hospital. Instead of proceeding home directly in Barangay Buhisan, the parents of baby Harry dropped by at the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) where he was baptized.

CCMC Director Eduardo Sedoripa, who stood as one of the godparents of Harry Vincent, said the baby was already improving.

Sedoripa, however, said that Kean Carl Villarico still remains at the intensive care unit of the hospital but already shows some improvement.

According to Sedoripa, Kean Carl can now open his eyes and respond to feeding.

Last Tuesday, Villarico underwent a facial skin graft performed by surgeons at the Chong Hua Hospital. Skin grafting is the process of placing healthy skin taken from other parts of the patient himself.

The procedure is done to reduce the course of treatment needed for burns and to improve the appearance of the area affected.

Since Villarico had third-degree burns, he might lose his hair and eyebrows, according to a source.

Last Feb. 20, three infants confined at the pediatric ward of the CCMC suffered serious burns after a gooseneck lamp in the incubator, which overheated, exploded.

One of the babies, Baby Girl Maglasang from Barangay Adlaon, was released after four days but Villarico and Ybañez were transferred to the private hospital.

City Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña, who also stood as one of the godparents of baby Harry, said she was happy that the baby was already discharged from the hospital and is on his way to full recovery.

“I am happy that the baby is fine and hopefully on his way to full recovery,” Osmeña told The FREEMAN.

 In a separate interview with The FREEMAN, City Hospitalization Assistance and Medicine Program (CHAMP) Henry Sanchez said the hospital bill of Ybañez has reached P103,000.

The bill of Villarico is expected to reach P400,000 but the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) will help pay the amount. — (FREEMAN)