Negligent staff blamed for death of baby who fell from delivery table in Maguindanao hospital

What was supposed to be a joyous occasion for young mother Marilyn Galapin turned tragic when her newborn died after falling to the floor inside a hospital in Upi, Maguindanao.

A report on "24 Oras" on Tuesday said Galapin was forced to give birth without assistance from nurses and doctors at the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center last May 20.

Galapin claimed hospital staff ordered her to keep quiet when she asked them for assistance.



Since nobody assisted her, Galapin said the baby came out and fell to the floor from the delivery table.

"May pasa siya dito sa dibdib, sa likod, at may bukol sa ulo," she said in the "24 Oras" report.

She continued, "Tinanong ko po sa mister ko, sabi ko, tanungnin mo doon sa doktor kung kamusta na yung baby. Sagot daw po ng doktor sa kanya, okay lang daw po."

Even though the baby was premature, it was placed at the hospital's corridor instead of in an incubator, the report said, adding the hospital did not have enough equipment.

A separate report on GMA News TVs' "Balita Pilipinas" said despite the baby's death, Galapin was made to pay for the hospital's services.

The Department of Health and the management of the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center are conducting separate investigations on the incident.  —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News