Newborn baby declared dead turns out to be alive in Kidapawan

KIDAPAWAN CITY – A premature baby who has been declared dead after delivery by staff of a government hospital here turned out to be alive, relatives said.

According to the infant's aunt Janet Rinsulat, the 30-week-old baby girl was born through a normal delivery at the Cotabato Provincial Hospital on the morning of June 16.  

Rinsulat said they were told the baby did not cry after the delivery.  

“The staff told us they did everything to deliver the baby alive and make her cry but failed,” she said.

An hour later, she added, the baby was placed in a carton box and given to them.

Rinsulat said Mia, one of their relatives who was tasked to wait for the funeral car outside the hospital, was surprised when she heard a faint cry from inside the box.

“She was terrified after she learned the cry came from the box where the supposed body of the baby was placed,” Rinsulat recalled.

The relatives then immediately rushed the baby back to the emergency room where, a few hours later, hospital staff placed the baby at the incubation room.

Hospital to investigate

Dr. Eva Rabaya, assistant chief of hospital, said they will investigate the incident after the baby's family called for it.

“I can’t give the details but rest assured we will do everything to give the necessary service to the baby,” she said.

She, however, can’t guarantee if the baby will survive.

“Most of the times, when babies are on preterm births, there is tendency they won’t survive. But let’s pray she will survive,” said Rabaya.

Oxygen tank

The infant's relatives have complained about a problematic oxygen tank in the hospital's Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where the baby was brought.

“They were asking us initial deposit for the use of the oxygen tank. We paid them. Yet, we found out there is a problem with the oxygen tank,” said Genalyn Rosales, one of the child's aunts.
      
The incident has already been reported to the local police, Rosales added.

Rabaya, meanwhile, said she was told the baby has already developed an infection.

“As to how it happened, still, we have to determine what caused the infection,” she said. — KBK, GMA News