NBI–7 summons Tuburan doc, nurse aide

CEBU, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-7 yesterday issued a subpoena against Dr. Jatuporn Vatanagul and nurse aide, Chito Chaluag, of Tuburan District Hospital to appear before their office.

Regional Director Antonio Pagatpagat said they need to get the statement of the two after the family of a 3-year-old boy who nearly drowned in the sea in Barangay Putat, Tuburan, Cebu sought the assistance of the NBI claiming that the victim died due to the alleged negligence of the physician.

Mini Lidres, the grandmother of Chris John, said she brought the victim before the Tuburan District Hospital at around 12 noon on July 7 after he nearly drowned while swimming with his aunt.

Upon arrival at the emergency room, she said Vatanagul attended to the victim and checked his condition and said the boy was fine.

Then, the physician left to take a rest and told Chaluag to attend to the victim.

However, she said that when Arlene Aguilar, the victim’s aunt arrived, she noticed that the boy was pale.

She asked Chaluag to call the doctor but the latter allegedly refused saying the doctor was resting.

Mini said she waited for 30 minutes before Vatanagul went out of his office.

Vatanagul then checked Chris John but Mini said he was already dying.

The doctor tried to revive the victim but failed.

Pagatpat said their investigation started last week. He said agent Renan Oliva has already taken statements of the complainant and witnesses.

NBI medico-legal officer Dr. Rene Cam did not recommend the conduct of autopsy saying his findings would still be the same with the findings of the doctor that the victim died due to cardiopulmonary arrest secondary to aspiration due to near drowning. —  (FREEMAN)