THE Department of Health-Davao Region (DOH-Davao) has announced plans to form a fact-finding team to investigate an alleged baby-switching incident in Davao Oriental.
Undersecretary Abdullah Dumama Jr., the DOH Area for Mindanao Concurrent Head, assured the public that the investigation will be impartial and thorough.
“Wala po tayong kakampihan dito hindi po tayo magiging bias, objective lang tayo and we will closely coordinate with the hospital tapos thorough investigation para mailman natin ang totoo (We won’t take sides. We will remain objective, coordinate closely with the hospital, and conduct a thorough investigation to uncover the truth)," Dumama said in a media interview on January 24, 2025.
The case came to light after two mothers from Davao Oriental reached out on the program Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, claiming their newborns may have been switched at the hospital. DNA tests later confirmed the switch.
Dumama stressed that any negligence on the part of the Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center would be uncovered, but also acknowledged the hospital's efforts to correct the error. If negligence is confirmed, appropriate penalties will follow, although it remains unclear whether the DOH or the provincial government will impose them.
DOH-Davao underscored the need to prevent such incidents in the future. To this end, they will promote the One DOH Approach, encouraging the accreditation of health facilities as mother-baby-friendly hospitals.
Dumama noted that many hospitals in the region lack this accreditation and stressed that it should be part of the licensing process. Hospitals without it will not be granted a license. RGP