Hospital explains side on baby’s missing heart
In a bid to set the record straight, the administration of Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (GCGMH) broke its silence and explained why the need for an autopsy of the two-month old baby girl who died of severe pneumonia, Dr. Edgar Pizarras, hospital spokesman, said in an exclusive interview yesterday.
This came following the alleged removal of the heart organ from a dead baby girl by “heartless†perpetrator that has caused too much emotional pain on the baby’s parents.
Pizarras said that Creslyn G. Lamoste, 2-month old, was admitted at the hospital on Sept. 21, 2009 and she died at around 7:35 AM two days after due to what he called “pediatric community acquired pneumonia D, Sepsis.â€
The baby girl had also suffered from “severe malnutrition,†he added.
Creslyn Lamoste’s death certificate issued on September 23, 2009 was signed by Catherine H. Operario, M. D., medical officer III of said hospital. The said document was received by her grandmother Olympia Lamoste.
Licensed embalmer Gelfon Dano, 27, single and resident of Ubujan district presently working at Rodan Memorial Funeral Homes, Sta., Cruz, Calape town who did the embalming of the cadaver of the dead baby, said in his affidavit that he was “surprised because there was no more heart inside.†He said he immediately informed the parents of what he uncovered.
This reportedly prompted the parents ---- Cresencio Lamoste and Adeline Gonzales Lamoste, residents of San Roque, Maribojoc town ---- to seek assistance from authorities concerned. They parents went to the National Bureau of Investigation - Cebu Regional Office the other day asking a separate investigation on the matter.
Pizarras said that the autopsy was done in a legal manner because Creslyn’s mother had given consent in a signed document to the doctor or pathologist, who did the autopsy. Pizarras refused to name the doctor or pathologist who removed the baby’s heart. He also confirmed that the doctors who did the autopsy had taken samples or specimens from kidney, liver, and lungs of the dead baby.
He said this is like a standard operating procedure in taking specimens from the cadaver when autopsied considering that GCGMH is a training hospital. GCGMH is a government-run regional training hospital and as part of their functions as a training facility, doctors have to gather specimens for medical studies and to sustain its status and accreditation.
He said that the parents were apprised when they sign the consent for the autopsy procedure. But he said that the way it was explained about the procedure of autopsy may not be thoroughly elaborated especially the taking of the heart organ.
He said when the news broke into the air last week the hospital did not answer immediately on queries because, as spokesman, he has to meet first the doctors concerned. Pizarras said that the hospital has yet to receive complaints arising from the incident as of presstime yesterday but it will prepare to face and answer them. (RVO)
source:Bohol standard
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