DOH won’t probe VSMMC incident

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Health-7 will no longer investigate the accident at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center involving a woman whose urinary bladder got injured during a caesarian operation.

In a press conference yesterday, DOH-7 Health Education and Promotion officer Ligaya Moneva said the hospital will look into the incident instead.

She said the letter-complaint of Leonard Parantar, the live-in partner of 23-year-old Jermelyn Bactismo, was forwarded to VSMMC for investigation.

“Gi-forward na sa atong buhatan aron makahatag sila og appropriate action,” she said, explaining, that VSMMC has autonomy over the probe.

Bactismo gave birth to a baby boy on November 7 via caesarian at VSMMC but the doctor allegedly cut her urinary bladder inadvertently.

Moneva said DOH might intervene only after VSMMC releases the findings of the investigation.

She clarified that DOH can touch on issues related to the hospital’s licensing and regulations, as well as its operations, but not on allegations of malpractice and negligence. This is reportedly because the Professional Regulation Commission is the proper agency to evaluate and regulate the practice of medical professions.

“These are the only things we can look into if ang service nahaom sa standard set for medical facilities,” Moneva said.

Reporters tried to get a statement from investigation head Dr. Antonio Roque Paradela, VSMMC’s chief of professional and medical staff, but he refused to give one. — (FREEMAN)