THE provincial Board of Bohol has strongly recommended to the Office of the Governor “to initiate a strategic reshuffling of Hospital chiefs and key personnel across all hospitals under its jurisdiction.”
This was the bold move contained in a health committee report rendered by Board Member DJ Balite during the regular session last week, adding that capability building or re-training of the hospital staff for their competency and professionalism should be done.
This came after the death of an infant before he/she saw daylight while the mother was trying to deliver at the Cong. Natalio Castillo Memorial Hospital in Loon town on June 3, 2025.
This concern was brought to the attention of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan by Board Member Lucille Lagunay, who wanted that an investigation be conducted to find out the circumstances surrounding the sad incident and to review health protocols of said hospital.
The Board also pushed for the Capitol to extend financial or material assistance to the affected family in the name of “public trust and social responsibility.”
The committee report cited the statement or sides of the family (name withheld) and the hospital represented by hospital chief Dr. Cyrilda B. Tallo. Detailed circumstances and the things the hospital and opinions of the doctors were also heard during the committee hearing.
Those in the said committee meeting were PHO OIC Dr. Fruserma Uy, Dr. Emma Cahatol, Dr. James Christian Relampagos of said hospital, Atty. Mary Aphrodite Apale, Dr. Luchi Dianne Elemeos (GCGMMH), Dr. Marjori Aventrad, Dr. Maribeth M. Jimenez, Dr. Shary M. Baton, Dr. Anabelle Oncog and the committee secretariat.
The Provincial government owns and manages the ten devolved public hospitals: Garcia Memorial Provincial hospital in Talibon town; Pres. Carlos P. Garcia community Hospital in CPG town; Clarin Community Hospital, Francisco Dagohoy Memorial Hospital in Inabanga; Maribojoc Community Hospital, Maribojoc town; Catigbian district Hospital, Catigbian; Cong. Simeon Toribio Memorial Hospital, Carmen; Cong. Galagar memorial hospital in Jagna and Candijay Community Hospital, Catigbian, Bohol.
The committee report was signed by its chairman Dr. Romulo Cepedoza, and BM Donisio Joseph V. Balite, as member. The report, however, did not bear the signature of then BM Dr. Elpidio Bonita as vice-chair. (rvo)
