VSMMC initiates query on 2-year-old baby boy’s death

An internal investigation is being conducted by Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) on the alleged negligence that caused the death of a two-month old baby boy.

Nonoy Mongaya, VSMMC spokesman, said that investigation has started despite no official complaint received from the family. He refused to divulge more details.

“Instead of posting (in Facebook), we urge them to file official complaint before our office,” Mongaya said in a phone interview.

Department of Health Central Visayas  (DOH 7) Director Jaime Bernadas also said they have not received an official complaint.

He also urged the family to file a formal complaint in their office.

To recall, Princess Jane Cabañez, who claimed to be the aunt of Baby Gelse Bacho, posted on her Facebook account that there was no clear medical findings as to what made the baby sick.

The photo of the baby’s swollen body generated more than 2,000 likes and 2,364 shares on the social media site.

Baby Gelse was admitted at VSMMC for a week.  Cabañez claimed that the baby was not properly attended to.

On the death tag, it showed that Baby Gelse was admitted at 2:21 p.m. of Jan. 27 and died at 8:30 p.m. of Feb. 12.

Diagnosis was severe anemia and she was pronounced dead by a Dr. Dana Tonqueza while the post mortem care was done by a nurse named Jennifer Cutamera.

Bernadas explained that anemia (severe) can cause swollen body.

“Manghupong jud na siya kay kulang ang components sa dugo, kuwang og vitamins and protein,” he added.  (The body will be bloated because the blood lacks components as well as vitamins and protein.)

Bernadas said that medical personnel should properly explain to the relatives and patients about the medical condition.