The Cebu Provincial Health Office (PHO) defended the emergency response of Badian District Hospital after the family of an 18-year-old road crash victim questioned the facility’s handling of the patient’s condition and transfer to a higher-level hospital.
PHO officials said an internal review was conducted after the allegations circulated online, with written reports gathered from the doctors and nurses involved in the patient’s care.
PHO Chief of Hospital I Dr. Jenina Canoy said the investigation showed that hospital personnel followed emergency protocols and immediately worked to stabilize the patient before arranging a referral.
“So, immediately after that, we conducted an investigation with the PHO as well as our chief of hospital in the Badian District,” Canoy said.
Based on hospital records, the patient arrived at Badian District Hospital at around 4 a.m. on July 26 after being transported by local emergency responders.
Canoy said the patient suffered severe injuries, including a laceration on the left frontal area, vomiting of blood, left frontal deformity, and weakness on the left side of his body.
She said the attending physician immediately considered the possibility of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and decided to refer the patient to a tertiary hospital since Badian District Hospital is an infirmary-level facility.
“Upon the assessment, the doctor tried to stabilize the patient. And there was already a decision to refer the patient to a tertiary hospital because our Badian District Hospital is an infirmary hospital,” she said.
Canoy also disputed claims that the patient only received paracetamol while waiting for transfer.
She said the patient was given intravenous paracetamol, mannitol to help reduce possible brain swelling, normal saline solution, oxygen support, continuous suctioning due to vomiting, and tranexamic acid.
“There were other medications, and we can attest to that because these medications are recorded in our medication sheet by our healthcare personnel, our nurses, and the doctor who gave the order,” Canoy said.
The PHO explained that no immediate family member was present when the patient initially arrived, requiring hospital personnel to proceed with referral procedures while attempting to coordinate with facilities capable of treating severe head injuries.
Public Health Consultant Dr. Nikki Catalan said referrals were initially sent to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, Cebu South Medical Center, and Cebu Provincial Hospital-Carcar before private hospitals were contacted.
Catalan also addressed claims that internet connectivity issues delayed the referral process, saying hospital personnel continued coordinating through mobile devices using cellular data.
“Despite the loss of the internet during that time, our personnel had this initiative to use the cellphones because the referral system can be accessed through our phones, tablets and laptops even using data. So even though there was a loss of connectivity, the referral continued,” she said.
Canoy said the ambulance carrying the patient left Badian at around 8 a.m. even before a receiving hospital formally confirmed acceptance.
Catalan said the family later decided to bring the patient to Sacred Heart Hospital while already on the way.
“So in the midway sa ilang pagbyahe, ni-decide ang family nga dad-on nalang sa Sacred Heart. It’s the family’s choice,” Catalan said.
She said the patient arrived at Sacred Heart Hospital at around 11 a.m. and later died at approximately 4:30 p.m.
The patient’s family, however, maintained in a social media post that the victim remained at Badian District Hospital for several hours despite his critical condition.
They also alleged delays in receiving updates regarding the referral process.
The PHO maintained that all medical interventions and referral procedures were documented and carried out based on existing protocols.
Provincial officials also said the Office of the Governor has already reached out to the victim’s family, although no response has been received.
Beyond the hospital response, health officials also raised concerns over road safety following the incident.
Catalan said the patient was reportedly involved in a motorcycle crash after midnight and emphasized the need for stricter enforcement against underage drinking, driving under the influence of alcohol, and motorcycle riding without helmets.
She said the provincial government is coordinating with the Philippine National Police to strengthen monitoring and enforcement of road safety measures.
Photo courtesy of Hon. Cesar Baricuatro
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