7-month-old baby dies during surgery; mother considers charges if probe shows negligence

A seven-month-old baby was scalded with water in Rodriguez, Rizal, resulting in his death, according to Nico Waje's Stand For Truth report.

Clarissa Esquierdo was carrying her seven-month-old baby Ray Cristoff while she was cooking when the accident occurred.

The baby was immediately brought to the nearest hospital but was later transferred to the  Quirino Memorial Medical Center for treatment by a burnt specialist.

However, Clarissa said it seemed to her that the baby's condition was not improving at the hospital.

"Doon sa emergency pa lang trinay lagyan ng dextrose... 'yong dextrose na nilagay sa kaniya parang sa magkabila niyang kamay tinusok siya tapos pinadaan na yung dextrose sa wala nang choice, dito na sa may kinukuhaan ng dugo. Dun na siya nilagyan ng dextrose. Tapos sabi ko bakit dun kailangan pa, bakit hindi na lang sa kamay. Doon kasi siya kinuhaan ng dugo sa kamay e. Tapos sabi niya, "Mommy, malikot po kasi" ... ganyan , ganyan," she related.

"Wala pang isang oras napansin ko 'yong kamay ng anak ko matigas, tumitigas tapos iba na 'yong kulay," she added.

The following day, the medical staff still was unable to place a dextrose on the child. The child then had convulsions, then the staff attended to the child.

The condition of the child improved when the dextrose was installed.

After three days, Clarissa said her child was given oxygen and other apparatus were installed.

The following day, the doctors decided to do surgery.

"Yung pala may infection na ang anak ko, hindi nila sinabi sa akin. Tapos, nag desisyon silang operahan. Sinabi nila operahan, pumayag ako," she said.

"Pero hindi nila sinabi ang mga possible na mangyari sa anak ko. Hindi inexplain ng maayos sa amin," she added.

The doctors explained that the potassium level of the child is very low.

"Bagsak kasi ang potassium sabi ng doktor. Pwedeng anytime habang inooperahan ang anak ko, pwedeng mamatay. Hindi nila sinabi sa'min. Sabi ng mother ko, kung ganun ang mangyayari huwag na lang ituloy ang operasyon," she said.

"Pero nagpumilit yung tatlong surgeon doctor," she added.

Baby Ray died during the operation.

The family is questioning the three death certificates issued by the hospital.

Stand for truth has reached out to the hospital for a comment but it has yet to respond as of posting time.

But the hospital and the Department of Health will conduct an investigation regarding the matter.

The parents of the child are considering filing charges against the hospital if the investigation shows there was negligence int he part of the medical personnel involved.

Watch this Stand For Truth episode to know the full story about the case of Baby Ray.