Live-in partner submits ‘plaint

CEBU, Philippines - The live-in partner of a 23-year-old woman, whose urinary bladder was accidentally cut during a caesarian section at a government hospital, has filed before the Department of Health-7 a handwritten complaint on the “negligent” act.

Accompanied by the Barangay Health Workers of San Fernando, Cebu, Leonard Parantar, 29, went to the DOH-7 office yesterday to submit his complaint written on a yellow pad paper.

“Ania ako karon sa inyong buhatan nanghinaot ko sa inyong pagtagad kabahin sa situwasyon sa akong kaipon,” read the one-page complaint.

Parantar briefly narrated about the operation on Jermelyn Bactismo at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

Bactismo gave birth to a baby boy on November 7 via caesarian; unfortunately, the doctor also inadvertently cut her urinary bladder.

In an interview, Parantar said they wanted the hospital and the doctor responsible for his partner’s prolonged agony to pay for the neglect. 

He threatened that they would lodge a case against VSMMC’s medical personnel if they will not act and help them.

“Kun dili mi tabangan mo-file gyud mi og kaso kay ila man pud nang sala,” he said.

Parantar said he could no longer bear to watch Bactismo suffer.

“Ganahan ko matapos na ang pag-antos sa akong asawa. Maguol ko kay kung mobara ang catheter sa ihi grabe ang iyang bationg kasakit,” he said.

DOH-7 Director Jaime Bernadas, who was in Manila attending the Senate’s plenary budget hearing, assured that they will immediately act on complaint.

He said they will ask for a fact-finding report from VSMMC.

“Definitely we will look into it tomorrow (today) and ask reports from the hospital concerned,” he said in a text message.

Meanwhile, barangay health volunteers of Panadtaran, San Fernando Cebu helped the couple in seeking financial assistance for Bactismo’s medical examination.

Upon the advice of a private hospital in Cebu City, Bactismo needed to undergo Voiding Cystogram X-ray to check if her bladder is leaking. The procedure and other medicine would cost around P14,000. 

Health volunteer Guillar Bargasa, who was with Parantar in submitting his complaint, said they already sought help from Cebu first district Representative Gerald Anthony "Samsam" Gullas regarding Bactismo’s medical expenses.  — with Angelica Libodlibod/RHM