Hospital staff ready to face any probe

CEBU (Updated, 6:22 p.m.) -- Officials of the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) assured Saturday they will submit themselves to any investigation in connection with the case of the three babies who suffered burns while under their care.

Dr. Eduardo Sedoripa, hospital chief of CCMC, said he already submitted an incident report to the office of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama in connection with the accident. He added he is waiting for any directive from the mayor.

Last Sunday, three newborn babies suffered burn injuries after the bulb of a gooseneck lamp that was being used to keep them warm exploded.

Parents of the three babies were asked to sign a waiver by the hospital authorities agreeing that what happened was an accident.

Medical staffs on duty at the hospital’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at the time of the accident were doctors Norene Ann Pacayra and Gladys Faye Estabello with nurses Bovic Molina and Gloria Laurente.

Sedoripa has considered the incident last Sunday as a challenge on their end, saying that they don’t perceive it as a discouragement.

“It’s a challenge for us to do better and deliver efficient service, I just hope that people will bear us especially on my part, as a new chief, that we’ll be given a chance to make significant change for the facility,” Sedoripa said.

He said they already replaced the bulbs of their lamps in the sick neonate unit of the pediatric ward from incandescent to halogen bulbs to prevent a similar accident.

Meanwhile, the mayor welcomes the City Council’s move to conduct a parallel investigation on the accident.

He said there’s no conflict in the conduct of the inquiry since the City Council’s investigation is in aid of legislation.

The mayor said it’s necessary for the executive department to conduct its own inquiry because it’s him who can suspend, dismiss and terminate employees.

He appreciates the legislative department’s move, wishing it would come up with something rather than immediately deciding to close the hospital.

During his incumbency, former mayor and now Rep. Tomas Osmeña (Cebu City, south district) threatened to shut down CCMC several times due to the inefficiency of the hospital’s management and personnel.

He reiterated his call for hospital’s closure when he learned about the incident believing that the personnel there have no sense of public service. (ETB of Sun.Star Cebu)