An official of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) yesterday denied an allegation that a newborn baby fell on the floor inside the hospital delivery room last Sept. 10.
Dr. Joseph Al. Alesna, chief of the hospital’s Office of Special Concerns, presented the official statement of the hospital as well as the final results of the investigation conducted on the alleged incident. The investigation report as well as the statement were signed by Dr. Gerardo M. Aquino, the chief of hospital.
“There is no such incident that happened,” Alesna told reporters.
According to the hospital report, a woman from barangay Mambaling in Cebu City was rushed to the hospital’s labor room on Sept. 10. A resident doctor attended to the woman and monitored her contractions.
A wheelchair was prepared for her eventual transport to the delivery room, but the woman gave birth at 1:08 p.m. while on bed number 1.
The nursing supervisor immediately took the baby then proceeded with Unang Yakap, a World Health Organization (WHO) newborn care protocol.
“She (nurse) categorically denies the statement that the baby fell on the floor,” Alesna said.
Alesna added that the nursing supervisor’s statement was corroborated by a medical intern and a woman who was on bed number 3 in the hospital’s labor room.
“Three additional patients also affixed their signature as witnesses,” he explained.
Investigation also showed that the mother and baby were then transferred to another room where the placenta was subsequently delivered.
The baby was then roomed in with the mother at the OB-Gyne Ward and was eventually seen by a resident pediatrician and a pediatric medical specialist.
The baby was further evaluated by a pediatric intensive care specialist.
No evidence
“No evidence of injury or trauma was noted thus no further laboratory and radiologic examinations were requested,” the hospital statement said.
When asked if it would be final that there would be no further laboratory and radiologic examinations for the new born baby he answered, “ If you undergo the new born baby into X-ray for no indication, you are exposing the baby into radiation.”
At present, both mother and baby are in good condition and are due for discharge. Alesna told the reporters that they are inviting the parents of the newborn baby to discuss the mother.
“It is quite unfortunate that an unverified and inaccurate version of the incident has been broadcast by a supposedly reputable news organization,” Alesna further read the statement.
“This comes at a time when VMMC has tried so hard to improve hospital services,” he added.
Alesna also confirmed that the staff on duty were not suspended by the management because there was no truth to the incident and all are just allegations.
Nonoy Mongaya, information officer of VSMMC also explained that it was the sister of the mother’s baby who delivered the formal letter of complaint last Thursday to the VSMMC information center. / Correspondent Michelle Joy L. Padayhag
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