Capiz guv orders probe on deaths of mum and infant

By Felipe V. Celino 

 

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Governor Esteban Evan Contreras assured the family of a mother and her baby who both died in a hospital of an impartial investigation into the incident.

In a media interview Monday, Contreras apologized to what had happened to Mary Cris Baylen, 30, of Barangay Cubay, Pres. Roxas town last Oct 24, 2020.

Baylen’s family is seeking justice after she died at Bailan District Hospital (BDH) in Pontevedra.

Baylen was taken to BDH due to a stomach-ache.

At the emergency room, the medical personnel checked her vital signs and her blood pressure that reached 200/110. Apart from that, the family claimed that the medical personnel did not give her attention.

The following day, the victim had difficulty breathing which worsened, prompting the medical personnel to put her on dextrose, oxygen, and catheter.

But a member of Baylen’s family wondered why blood was oozing from the catheter instead of urine. A nurse told them that it was normal.

The family was also dismayed after the BDH medical personnel referred the patient to a private hospital in Roxas City because they have no available doctor.

The patient was taken to Capiz Doctor’s Hospital (CDH) on board an ambulance, but it was detected that the baby had no more heartbeat.

The baby was dead when Baylen delivered the baby. The mother also died at the intensive care unit of the CDH a few minutes later.

Contreras has created a fact-finding committee to investigate the incident.

 

Contreras issued Memorandum Order No. 145-2020 dated October 30 directing the fact-finding committee “to immediately convene and expeditiously conduct an investigation on the matter and ensure that all parties are given the opportunity to be heard in keeping with due process.”

Contreras initiated the probe after he learned of the complaint of the Baylen family which was posted on social media.

The fact-finding committee is composed of Dr. Ramon Alex T. Nolasco of the Hospital Management Section-Office of the Governor, board member Esteban Jose Contreras who chairs the committee on health, Francisco Daragan of the Human Resources Management Office, and Provincial Health Officer (PHO) chief Dr. Samuel Delfin.

At the onset, a Maternal Death Review (MDR) will be conducted to be spearheaded by the PHO, private and public OB-gyne specialists and representative from the Department of Health (DOH).

The MDR, which will be the basis of the fact-finding committee to start the investigation, will start from the time of the patient’s pregnancy, pre-natal, health status, among others, until the day she gave birth.

All parties concerned and involved in the incident will be given the chance to give their side.