Groups seek probe of hospital over baby’s death

COTABATO CITY, Philippines– Rights and religious groups urged the Department of Health (DOH) yesterday to investigate a government hospital for the death of a baby erroneously declared dead after delivery.

Doctors at the North Cotabato Provincial Hospital in Kidapawan City tried but failed to save the infant after four days at the intensive care unit.

The child’s mother, Desiree Reyes, said her daughter would not have died if not for the erroneous declaration by hospital personnel that the baby died after birth on June 16.

A male nurse reportedly placed the supposedly dead baby in a box sealed with a duct tape. The infant, however, cried as the mother and her relatives were preparing to leave the hospital.

Doctors admitted the infant at the hospital where she died Thursday.

Relatives have urged North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Mendoza to order an investigation on the incident.