Gov. Hilario Davide III ordered an investigation into the death of a newborn baby girl who accidentally fell off a speeding pedal-powered tricycle that was rushing her mother to a government hospital in Badian town in southern Cebu last Saturday.
Regina Gabirto, 44 – who was seven months pregnant – gave birth inside the tricycle, but the newborn slipped and rolled out out and fell on the ground.
The parents filed a complaint with the Badian police after the mother was allegedly turned away at a birthing center operated by the municipality.
On Tuesday, two days after burying their child, the couple sought help over their ordeal.
Benjamin said they agreed to press charges against the midwife at the birthing center.
“My baby would have been alive if only they attended to my wife,” said Benjamin in Cebuano.
At the Capitol, Governor Davide said he would have the case investigated.
“The birthing center is under the municipal government. That is why we will ask them to look into the incident and conduct an investigation,” he said.
“We will help the mother. I was also a premature baby. I was born on the seventh month. We’ll see how we can lend assistance,” he said.
PSWDO head Evelyn Senajon said the province gives P5,000 as a standard amount for aid but the governor may give more depending on the needs of the family.
Badian Mayor Robburt Librando could not be immediatley reached for comment.
Regina, the mother, recalled her traumatic delivery.
She said she felt severe pain and before she knew it, the baby emerged while the tricycle was speeding to the hospital.
“Wala nako ma bantayi ug masalo ang akong anak sa dihang migawas kay kinalit ang panghitabo ug dayon ka hulog sa kalsada ang baby (I was caught off guard and I failed to catch my baby who fell on the road).”
Her husband, Benjamin, jumped out of the tricycle and rushed to pick up the infant who fell face down.
He carried the infant to the hospital. The newborn had bruises and scratches all over as she was dragged by the tricycle by around four meters from where she fell, he told Cebu Daily News.
The infant was declared dead when they finally reached the Badian District Hospital.
Dr. Cynthia Genesolango, Provincial Health Officer, said she received an initial report of the incident from Badian municipal health officer Dr. Urduja Espiritu.
“I’m still trying to get more details. However, it happened on a weekend and the only people around was the midwife,” she told Cebu Daily News.
She said midwives are fully capable of handling normal child birth deliveries.
However, the mother was advised to go to the district hospital since the birthing center had no facilities for a premature delivery.
Birthing pains
The couple said they went to the Badian Birthing Center at around 6 a.m. Saturday after Regina felt birthing pains. The midwife on duty refused to admit Regina as she was not yet due to give birth.
“Adto nga higayona nagka hinabi me sa mga midwife on duty ug gi sultian rako nga ‘di paka manganak ayaw lang ug kabalaka kay seven months pa ang imong tiyan ug kung gusto gyud ka, adto lang ka sa hospital pa-check up. Naay trisikad diha hala sakay diha padung sa hospital.’ (The midwife told me not to worry because I’m not yet in labor and still seven months into my pregnancy. Then she told me that if I insist that I’m about to give birth, I can take a tricycle and go to the hospital).”
No incubator
PO3 Josefina Beriarmente of the Women and Children’s Protection Desk of the Badian Municipal Police Office said they received the couple’s complaint on Tuesday. They are waiting for the couple to execute a sworn statement to support the complaint.Initial police investigation showed the midwife referred the couple to the distrcit hospital as the birthing center lacked an incubator where premature babies are placed./with reports from Correspondents Joy Cherry Quito and Peter L. Romanillos