Boy in tragic medical mission dies
Shock amidst grief. Both describes what now reigns over the family of 2 year-old Mathew Panes, the youngest of nine Panes siblings who hail from Mina, Iloilo.
The victim of a medical mission complication conducted by Filipino-American doctors and nurses, Mathew had his last breath about 4 a.m. Friday at the Pedia Ward of Iloilo Doctors Hospital (IDH) in Molo, Iloilo City. The boy was unresponsive in the entire hospital confinement and was at the most critical coma scale 3 since his transfer from the Iloilo Provincial Hospital (IPH) in Pototan, Iloilo. He had a respiratory arrest after a lip surgery last January 31st.
In an interview with family counsel, noted Ilonggo lawyer Dennis Ventilacion told The News Today (TNT) that a go-signal was given for an autopsy to be made on Mathew's remains. The family was told though, he added, that official cause of death will take weeks to be ascertained with additional laboratory tests needed. Medico-Legal Officer Dr. Owen Lebaquin was tasked for said autopsy.
Hospital expenses incurred at the IDH were shouldered by the medical mission team yet Manuel Panes, the boy's father, called Ventilacion for more help yesterday. This, after the supposed contact person assigned by the medical team has purportedly been out of the family's reach.
"Manuel has asked for my help in getting hold of this person kay indi niya na ma-contact (because he can no longer contact him)," Ventilacion added saying that the family was also assured of full assistance in the corresponding funeral expenses. "For now there is no decision to file a case pero gahimo lang (but we are making) possible preparations... of course there is possibility... kung lantawon mo ang (if you will really look at it) immediate cause of Mathew's death is the operation since prior to that he had no illness and before that operation, the required tests na-comply man (were also complied)."
Mathew's father is an insurance agent yet with the large family can not afford the surgery to correct his son's cleft palate condition. He availed of the medical mission for Mathew knowing that the surgery was all free and was among those who passed the pre-screening.
As for the supposed breach of procedure when the family took Mathew home, Ventilacion replied, "yes they went home but it was allowed by the medical mission team. They were told it was okay for them to take their kid home with corresponding instructions. And those instructions were also complied with."
Ventilacion with the boy's father met with members of the Committee on Health led by First District Board Member Macario Napulan, IPH doctors and the coordinator of the medical team. The meeting occurred Wednesday.
In the duration of the meeting, Ventilacion continued, no talk of liability was discussed with foremost then in the group's concern the recovery and survival of the boy. No less than Provincial Health Officer Dr. Patricia Grace Trabado made an assurance, he disclosed, on the support of the Iloilo Provincial Government. Even Board Member Napulan and Fifth Distrtict Board Member Jett Rojas reportedly expressed that the province "has to assume some degree of responsibility."
"In terms of criminal liability, we can definitely pursue it," Ventilacion replied amidst concerns raised with the medical team already based in the United States. "And if civil action for damages are to be pursued, then we can sue the organizing groups."
The Iloilo Provincial Government spent a total of P722,665 for the medical mission team, bulk of which went to the freight charges of medical equipment, surgical supplies and medicines brought in. P120,800 went to the catering of one lunch and two snacks at the IPH alone while succeeding breakfast and dinner was pegged at P144,000.
In return though, the medical mission team reported over P21.6 million worth of surgical and medical supplies donated here.
American eye surgeon Dr. Kenneth Westfield and plastic surgeon Dr. Carl Williams were among the professionals of the group.