Capiz prov’l board to probe deaths of hospital patients

ROXAS City – The Capiz Provincial Board will conduct an investigation into the deaths of four patients at the Intensive Care Unit of the Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital (RMPH) here, following the onslaught of typhoon “Ursula” on Dec. 25, 2019.

“I already endorsed the matter to the Chairman on Health, Board Member Steve Contreras as an initial step for the conduct of investigation in aid of legislation,” Vice Governor James Magbanua said. 

The patients allegedly died after the generator set supposed to back up the hospital’s power supply malfunctioned several times, according to a hospital personnel, who on condition of anonymity, told Panay News.

“After the power outage due to broken electrical posts and tangled electrical wirings at the height of ‘Ursula,’ the hospital generator set did not immediately work out,” the source said.

Magbanua identified the victims as Joline Mansilla, Ramil Balasa, Rutchel Sabio, and Benigno Daquin.

Governor Esteban Evan Contreras, who was on vacation in Singapore when the incident happened, designated Magbanua as acting governor on Dec. 23 to 27.

The governor earned negative criticisms from the public on his vacation trip, but the trip, according to a report, was cut short due to the devastation caused by the typhoon.

Meanwhile, Magbanua said he tried to contact acting RMPH Chief Dr. Edmarie Tormon but to no avail.

“I only learned about the incident several days after ‘Ursula’ when a concerned doctor at the RMPH told me about the death cases,” he added.

Provincial Administrator (PA) Edwin Monares, on the other hand, said the four death cases “cannot be attributed to the loss of generator set power.”

His statement was backed up by Asst. Hospital Management Head Dr. Ramon Alex Nolasco.

“Gin paandar ang generator after Capiz Electric Cooperative power outage around 2 to 3 a.m. on Dec. 25, until 3 p.m. sa hapon kag na tripped off siya. Ang maintenance personnel ta nag respondi insigida kag na regain ang power for two hours then at 7 p.m. na tripped off naman kag na restore naton around 10 p.m. sang gabi, na found out naton nga wala ga-charge ang alternator,” Nolasco told Panay News.

“Ang mga pasyente were unstable patients, there was case of stroke, severe pneumonia nga bata, cerebrovascular case, kag head injury. The time of their expiration was not attributed sa power outage sang generator set kay sang time nga nag kala-expire ang pasyente naga-andar ang generator set,” Nolasco added.

On a social media post, Board Member Eleuper Martinez urged Monares to tender his resignation.

“PA Monares, the blood of the (four) Capiznons who died in RMPH is on your hands… sana makonsensya ka and you should tender your irrevocable resignation,” part of the post said.

Monares accepted the challenge but told Martinez that the latter should prove that the deaths of the patients can be directly attributed to him before he will quit as administrator.

“If you are certain on your judgment, I will resign as administrator if you can establish that indeed the unfortunate deaths of the RMPH patients are directly attributable to me and my doing. But if it will not be established after a thorough investigation, you, too, resign. Game, be a man to accept my challenge,” replied Monares./PN

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