Kin of baby who died in Cebu hospital seek CHR help

Parents of an eight-month-old baby boy who died in a Cebu hospital allegedly due to the hospital staff's negligence sought help on Friday from the Commission on Human Rights.

But the CHR Region 7 office told parents of Harry Morgan Visaya it will wait for the Department of Health to finish its investigation, GMA Cebu's Alan Domingo reported.

Still, the CHR said it will request a copy of the child's medical records from the hospital.

Baby Harry's parents had accused doctors and staff at St. Anthony Mother and Child Hospital of negligence in the baby's death last June 7.

The hospital had also declined to give the parents a copy of the child's medical records unless they can present a court order.

On the other hand, the DOH is due to come out with results of its investigation as early as next week.

Earlier this week, the DOH Region 7 formed a committee to look into alleged negligence by St. Anthony Mother and Child Hospital on the death of Baby Harry.

Baby Harry died June 7, with his parents accusing the hospital staff of neglecting him. The hospital denied the claim.

The child was brought to the hospital June 2, after showing symptoms of diarrhea.

His mother Marifhe Ylaya wanted the staff to administer dextrose to the baby but the staff merely had her buy medicine and discharged him.

Marifhe returned the next day to make sure the baby was fine, but she said the hospital staff took its time attending to the child.

"Nagtawanan sila (nang) sinabi kong okay pa ba ang anak ko, dahil binalot ng kumot tapos iyak ng iyak. Sabi ng nurse na ano ma’am, papatusok ba kayo o hindi dahil sasabihan ko ang doctor. Sabi ko papatusok pero tingnan mo ang anak nakakaawa," she said.

"Pumunta ang duktor, tiningnan niya ang dextrose at sabi niya bukas na niya lalagyan ng dextrose ang bata dahil gabi na. Hindi na niya makita ng maayos. Sabi ko sure ba kayo doc, okay lang ba ang anak ko doc?" she added.

When the dextrose ran out, the staff allegedly did not administer any more dextrose, prompting the Ylaya family to ask the staff to allow the baby's transfer to a private hospital, lest he be dehydrated.

But the Ylayas said the attending physician refused to do so. The baby was eventually transferred to another public hospital and died June 7.

Earlier, the management of St. Anthony Mother and Child Hospital maintained its medical personnel did their jobs. Chief of hospital Dr. Roberto Denopol said they will form a panel to investigate the incident.

Denopol also said they are ready for any legal measure the baby's family may take against them. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News