Aid pushed for kin of baby who died of alleged mishandling

CEBU, Philippines – Talisay City Council Committee on Health chairman Councilor Richard Francis Aznar is lobbying for approval of a resolution extending assistance to the family of the baby who died due to alleged mishandling of medical practitioners.

Last month, Charito Topacio, mother of the late Baby Christine, accused that the medical personnel of Talisay City District Hospital mishandled the birth of her baby and caused the latter’s death.

Officials of the said hospital have already denied the allegations, saying the baby was already dead even before the delivery.

Based on the medical results of  Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, the baby’s death was caused by “intrauterine fetal death secondary to fetal asphyxia.”

Aznar, in his proposed resolution, said the family needed financial assistance for the hospital bills and other related expenses for the recovery of the mother.

"The City of Talisay shall give financial assistance to the underprivileged and undertake appropriate monetary needs to the Talisaynon. The family of Ms. Charito Topacio suffered physical and mental stress for the loss of her child during delivery," Aznar said in his resolution.

Aznar said it is up to Mayor Johnny De los Reyes, through the city social welfare department, to assess which assistance is appropriate for the family.

"The move is a clear manifestation of the City of Talisay’s continuous efforts to share and improve the well-being of all Talisaynon constituents," he added.