CEBU, Philippines - The Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center hospital management yesterday denied allegations that a baby fell or was dropped shortly after it was born in their delivery room.
In a statement released yesterday signed by VSMMC chief of hospital Dr. Gerardo Aquino Jr., the initial report gathered by hospital officials found that no dropping or falling incident occurred.
“She (nurse supervisor) categorically denies the statement that the baby FELL ON THE FLOOR. The Nurse Supervisor’s statement is corroborated by signed statements of a Medical Intern present at that time and a patient in labor room bed #3. Three additional patients also affixed their signatures as witnesses,” said the statement read by Office of Special Concerns chief Dr. Joseph Al Alesna.
Moreover, VSMMC officials stressed that the newborn did not sustain any injury requiring further laboratory tests.
“No evidence of injury or trauma was noted thus no further laboratory and radiologic examinations were requested. At present both mother and baby are in good condition and are due for discharge,” the statement continued.
A more detailed investigation result will be out Tuesday, according to media liaison officer Nonoy Mongaya, the personnel subject to the complaint were given three days to reply to the complaint filed by the aunt of the baby, the sister of the baby’s mother.
“We received the official complaint September 11 at 12:50 p.m. This was already after they had TV interview. Supposedly, what should happen was that they formalize their complaint through our public assistance and complaint section with forms available at the information desk,” Mongaya said.
The initial report incorporated with the official statement dated September 13 narrated what happened based on accounts of medical personnel on duty.
The mother on labor was monitored by obstetrics resident at 12:45 p.m. of September 10.
When she was supposed to be transported to the Delivery Room, her labor rapidly progressed prompting the delivery to happen at the Labor Room at around 1:08 p.m.
After which, both mother and baby were transferred to a different room where the placenta was delivered.
Following rooming in of both at the OB Ward, the baby was checked by the pediatric resident, the pediatric medical specialist, and the pediatric intensive care specialist.
The FREEMAN was able to contact the father of the baby but he begged off from issuing a statement saying they will just grant media interviews as soon as his wife and baby are discharged.
Earlier, the baby’s father, in a GMA News TV interview, said that they want a thorough check up of the baby like X-ray and CT scan to make sure that the baby did not sustain any serious injury not visible by physical assessment.
With this, Alesna said they cannot unnecessarily subject the delicate condition of a newborn to radiological tests because radiation might have ill effects on the baby.
Alesna further said that they intend to call the attention of the complaining party adding that they will listen to their side as they will also take note of the accounts of the personnel on duty. —/BRP (FREEMAN)