Rizal hospital probed on babies’ deaths

The government-run Rizal Medical Center (RMC) in Pasig City is under investigation and its neo-natal intensive care unit ordered closed after seven babies died of a blood infection, officials said.

The Department of Health said it has formed a panel to investigate the deaths of the babies, who were among 28 infants delivered on Oct. 4.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque said the panel led by Dr. Ailyn Javier of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute was given until Oct. 20 to come up with its recommendations.

The panel’s other members are Dr. Gener Defina of the Philippine Children’s Medical Center, Dr. Abelardo Alera of the San Lazaro Hospital, and Dr. Virginio Castro.

Dr. Winston Go, RMC director, confirmed that the seven babies contracted fever and died last weekend of possible infection.

"Neo-natal sepsis is a form of infection that could enter babies because their immune mechanisms are not yet fully developed like adults," he said.

Go said the facilities of the hospital may not have been properly cleaned because water and electricity were out at the time of the deaths due to the effects of typhoon "Milenyo" that cut a swathe of destruction throughout Metro Manila.

However, he stressed that surgical and other equipment were sterilized, including basins and suction gloves used to deliver babies.

He said the mothers might have contracted the infection before going to the hospital, noting that these types of infections were common.

Go said they have closed the delivery room to give way to the cleanup operation and designated another room as a temporary delivery area.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the DOH was tasked to investigate the matter and carry out preventive measures.

Janice de la Cruz, 23, whose first born was among the seven babies who died, said she had taken her baby home but immediately brought her back after she became feverish.

"We were not immediately attended to, like the other babies who also died," she said. "Those who attended to us were interns. My baby was already jaundiced, but they did not do anything."

"I want to give my baby justice," she cried. — With Helen Flores, Paolo Romero and AFP