‘Give one honest answer’

Here is an open letter from Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella to Cebu Puericulture Center and Maternity House Inc. Medical director

Office of the Vice Mayor

27 May 2014

Dr. Raida G. Varona
Medical Director
Cebu Puericulture Center and Maternity House
Cebu City

Dear Dr. Varona:

With the recent news reports regarding another incident involving (name withheld at request of mother), whose newly born baby’s mouth was taped with plaster to hold in place a pacifier during its stay in your nursery, I could no longer turn a deaf ear to what I though at first was an isolated case.

With the City Council calling Ryan Noval, whose newly born child was similarly situated as (the other mother’s) infant, please understand that we do not endeavor to pose as litigants or to pretend to be experts on the proper observance of infant care practices, but we intend to help expedite the resolution of an incident that Noval, who has considered tapping international agencies, is seeking redress from.

It would be disheartening if and when the local government cannot address a simple issue that needed only one honest answer.

In the interest of transparency, I would like to request a clear and categorical statement from you on whether or not, absent written protocols, procedures and policies, it is a common hospital practice of Cebu Maternity House nurses to tape with plaster infants’ mouths to hold in place their pacifiers.

It is my fervent hope that with your pronouncement or reply to this letter, we city officials, having only in highest regard the welfare and interest of our constituents, can help appease a growing uproar and of course (refer) the incident to the agencies in government for appropriate action.

Thank you for your attention.

Turly yours,

Edgardo C. Labella,
Acting Mayor of Cebu City

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