WITH an average of four obstetricians in each of Cebu’s four provincial hospitals, routine complications can become fatal.
That shortage proved deadly this week when a pregnant woman and her unborn child died after staff at Carcar Provincial Hospital — operating without an on‑duty obstetrician — reportedly declined to perform an emergency cesarean section.
Gov. Pamela Baricuatro has ordered an immediate investigation into the case, calling the deaths “heartbreaking” and vowing to hold anyone accountable.
"It’s heartbreaking what happened to the mother about to give birth and the infant who passed away while on their way to Talisay hospital from Carcar District Hospital. We are currently investigating the incident, and I want to assure everyone that we are taking this matter seriously," Baricuatro said on Thursday, July 24, 2025.
The case came to public attention after “Kiking Blues,” who identified himself as the patient's brother-in-law, posted the family's ordeal online.
The woman was in her third pregnancy, and she had one living child. She had not undergone any prenatal checkups, according to Provincial Health Officer‑in‑Charge Mary Ann Josephine Arsenal
How the tragedy unfolded
2 p.m., Monday, July 21
The expectant mother arrived at Isidro Kintanar Memorial Hospital in Argao, already showing pregnancy complications. With no obstetrician available, doctors referred her to Carcar Provincial Hospital.
7:30 p.m.
At Carcar, the lone obstetrician on shift found the woman’s cervix dilated only three centimeters and did not schedule surgery, according to Arsenal. The OB’s shift ended at 8 p.m. No other OB took over after the shift.
9 p.m.
A general practitioner, who cannot perform a Cesarean section birthing, took over and decided to refer the patient to Cebu South Medical Center in Talisay City, roughly 30 kilometers away.
11 p.m.
While in transit, the baby went into distress. Upon arrival at Cebu South Medical Center, doctors confirmed intrauterine fetal demise. The mother died soon after.
Stretched thin
Arsenal underscored the larger problem: “It’s truly ideal that we have an OB because our catchment area there in Carcar Provincial Hospital is really very large — 24 municipalities and cities.”
Across Cebu Province, only four obstetricians cover four provincial hospitals; some district facilities have two or three. Illness, vacation or sick leave, or a single emergency can leave entire night shifts without a specialist.
Baricuatro acknowledged the gap.
“That is the first thing we need to do, to hire specialists,” she said.
Next steps
The Capitol’s investigation will review referral protocols, staffing logs and whether medical guidelines were followed.
Cebu Province Social Welfare and Development has given the family P10,000 in burial aid, groceries, and rice.
Carcar City Mayor Patrick Barcenas clarified that the provincial hospital is under Capitol control, not the city. Carcar’s own infirmary hospital, which has birthing facilities, is managed by the City Government.
Cebu Province operates four provincial and 12 district hospitals. Until staffing catches up, high‑risk pregnancies — especially outside Metro Cebu — remain vulnerable to the province’s thin obstetric safety net. / CDF