CCMC: Cadaver incident ‘isolated case’

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Medical Center is investigating the case of a cadaver whose nose was allegedly gnawed by rats inside the hospital’s cadavers holding area midnight yesterday.

Rey Cris Panugaling, CCMC’s director for administration, said six personnel are now under investigation but emphasized that what happened is an “isolated case.”

The family of the dead person turned to media yesterday dawn after the hospital management allegedly did not entertain them when they learned about the incident.

Golddy Amor Siton said she was shocked after seeing the body of her brother, Harold Siton, whose nose was allegedly “gnawed” by four big rats inside the container van, which functions as the hospital’s holding area for cadavers.

“Gikaon ang ilong sa akong igsuon sa ilaga. Nakaingon mi nga ilaga gyud to kay pag-abli namo, nanagan na man ang mga ilaga,” she said.

Golddy said her family was able to talk with the hospital management eventually and they respect the ongoing investigation.

Panugaling said the hospital management is not discounting the possibility that the nose was indeed gnawed by the rats.

He said, however, that the hospital will look at all aspects in the investigation starting from the time the patient was brought to the hospital.

Panugaling said the container van, which is the hospital’s cadaver’s holding area, is made up of steel and that it is enclosed from point to point.

“Karon pa gyud na nahitabo nga incident,” he said, adding that the hospital’s holding area has been functioning for over a year now. He said the real issue is tracing what happened along the way – from the operation up to the administration.

“Rest assured nga ang family among gi-communicate. Mag-feedback lang mi kun unsay update,” he said.

“We are continuing improving everything. Nag-expand na ta and later on, everything will be on its proper places na gyud,” he added.

There were two cadavers inside the container van when the incident was discovered.

“Kun rat, so sa cleanliness nga aspect. Nganong nahitabo? Check gyud from operations down to the administrative side. Complete gyud ta tanan,” Panugaling said.

Then employees who will be found responsible for the lapse may be suspended, he said.

Golddy said her brother was brought to CCMC at 7 p.m. last Sunday after he was shot in Barangay Kinasang-an. He reportedly died at 9 p.m. and was brought to the cadaver’s holding area.

“Pag-12 midnight, niadto mi’s morgue nakit-an na namo nga wala nay ilong akong igsuon and walay nagbantay,” she said.

The remains are now at the St. Margaret Funeral Homes. (FREEMAN)