Daily TribuneEvery month, we hold regular Senate Health Committee hearings — on reforms in PhilHealth, to advocate for the full payment of health emergency allowances for our healthcare workers, to ensuring sufficient medical facilities, equipment, and qualified professionals in our public health establishments
(FILE PHOTO) Senator Christopher “Bong” Go
Photo courtesy of Senate of the Philippines
The death of a nine-month-old baby, allegedly due to medical neglect at the Department of Health (DoH)-run Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, has sparked outrage and calls for accountability.
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, has called for a fair, swift, and thorough investigation to determine liability and prevent similar incidents in the future.
“I extend my condolences to the parents of the baby who died after allegedly being denied admission three times at the Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital, a DoH-run hospital in Tagbilaran City,” Go said.
The senator expressed his frustration over the circumstances that led to the infant’s death, emphasizing that no Filipino should suffer due to failures in the healthcare system.
“It’s infuriating and saddening that the poor baby’s life ended because of these failures,” he said.
The senator urged the DoH to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation, calling for accountability and necessary policy revisions to prevent similar tragedies.
“As chair of the Senate Committee on Health, I urge the DoH to conduct a swift investigation. If someone is at fault, they should be held accountable. If there were shortcomings, they must be addressed. If additional support for healthcare workers is needed, it should be provided immediately,” he emphasized.
He stressed that improving healthcare services, especially for the poor, remains a top priority.
“The health, welfare, and well-being of our people, particularly the poor, are my foremost concerns,” said Go. “Health is life and is non-negotiable for me.”
The matter gained attention after a Facebook post by the child’s mother, Maricel Igang, went viral. In her post, Igang shared that her baby fell ill on March 2 with fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. She brought the child to the hospital three times — on 3, 4 and 5 March — but was repeatedly denied admission, allegedly because the medical staff did not consider the case critical.
On the third visit, Igang begged the hospital to admit her child, who had become weak and unresponsive. However, she claimed the hospital staff continued to downplay her baby’s condition.
Soon after, the baby’s condition worsened, and despite efforts by medical staff, the child was declared dead.
Senator Go acknowledged the broader issues within the public health system, noting that many Filipinos still struggle to access timely medical care.
“Every month, we hold regular Senate Health Committee hearings—on reforms in PhilHealth, to advocate for the full payment of health emergency allowances for our healthcare workers, to ensuring sufficient medical facilities, equipment, and qualified professionals in our public health establishments,” he said.
“However, despite these efforts, many Filipinos still face difficulties in accessing the medical services they deserve. We will not stop until we improve these services. Remember, health is the equivalent of life for every Filipino,” he stressed.
