Burned babies need more aid

CEBU CITY -- To make it up to three babies hurt in a public hospital, Cebu City Hall will have to guarantee they will be assisted, even after they are discharged, an official said.

In a privilege speech during the regular council session on Friday, Councilor Margarita "Margot" Osmeña emphasized that the explosion of a bulb last February 20, which injured three newborns, was an accident.

But she also said the City Government must assure the parents of the victims of its full commitment to help the infants deal with any effects of the accident.

"The parents are satisfied with the help extended by the City Government but they are concerned about what will happen to their babies in the future because of the accident," she said.

Baby Villarico, who suffered the worst burns, is still in the intensive care unit of Chong Hua Hospital but is recovering.

The baby is due for a facial skin graft when his condition stabilizes, she said. Grafting is the process of placing healthy skin, sometimes taken from other parts of the patient himself, over burns.

Baby Villarico and two others, all less than a month old, were being kept warm with a gooseneck lamp when its bulb exploded. The accident revived calls to improve the hospital's outdated facilities or, if warranted, even close it.

As to the investigation being conducted by the executive department, Osmeña said the council will assure its willingness to share any information arising from the council's separate inquiry.

The council finished its investigation on the accident last week.

Meanwhile, the contracts of 34 medical consultants of the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) have been renewed by the City Government.