THE family of a 31-year-old mother and her newborn is demanding justice after both died at the Lapu-Lapu City District Hospital. The deaths occurred amid childbirth complications and allegations of medical negligence, prompting the hospital to launch an investigation.
Elsie Patambag, the mother, died on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at 1:06 p.m. Her death was caused by a rare childbirth complication called amniotic fluid embolism, which led to cardiac arrest. The loss of Elsie and her son has left her husband, Mario, heartbroken and questioning the care his wife received at the public hospital.
In an interview with SunStar on Saturday, Aug. 2, Mario raised concerns about the hospital’s handling of the situation. He specifically cited the decision to perform the surgery in the delivery room, which he claims lacked sterile conditions and specialized equipment. Mario also alleges that his wife was given unauthorized injections before the operation, which made her feel weak and in pain.
Elsie’s sister, Mitchaida Sumampong, was at the hospital and recalls being asked if the patient had a history of asthma or high blood pressure as doctors prepared for an emergency C-section. Sumampong said the doctor reported that Elsie suddenly experienced skin discoloration and had difficulty breathing before the operation.
Mario claims hospital staff’s negligence played a role in the tragedy, pointing out that his wife had no complications throughout her prenatal care, which was overseen by the same private doctor who performed the C-section.
“They treated my wife like dirt. The style was a mess, that’s why I’m complaining. I want to ask for justice for my wife and child,” Mario said in a mix of Cebuano and English.
This was his wife’s second childbirth. Their firstborn was delivered normally five years ago.
An official from the city district hospital confirmed via message that an internal investigation into the incident has been launched.
Charges
Mario and his family have gone to Police Station 3 in Barangay Gun-ob to request an autopsy.
Lapu-Lapu City Police Office spokesman Lt. Col. Christian Torres confirmed in a separate interview that investigators have received the request for an autopsy on Elsie and the baby. The request will be forwarded to the crime lab, which will determine if the autopsy can be performed based on whether the bodies have been embalmed.
Torres added that an autopsy is crucial to establishing the true cause of the mother’s death and to determine if foul play or medical malpractice was involved. The findings will be part of the medico-legal report. A blotter report has been filed, and police are reviewing the evidence to decide if a formal complaint against the hospital or its medical personnel will be pursued.
While the delivery was performed by a private doctor, Torres said the physician is affiliated with the public hospital. Authorities are also investigating other staff involved in the procedure.
Torres said concrete evidence is necessary before any legal action can be taken.
In February this year, a doctor working at the city district hospital was dismissed from service following allegations that she verbally abused a patient.
Since the doctor was a job order employee and not covered by rules of the Civil Service Commission, no formal charges were filed against her.
The patient claimed that despite being in severe pain, the doctor was dismissive, criticizing her for not following instructions and making her feel unsupported. / DPC