OB staffing shortage leads to the tragic loss of a mother and her newborn

OB staffing shortage leads to the tragic loss of a mother and her newborn

In a heartbreaking turn of events, a pregnant woman and her unborn child tragically lost their lives this week at Carcar Provincial Hospital. The deaths were due to a lack of an on-duty obstetrician, leading to the refusal of an emergency cesarean section.

The woman, who was in her third pregnancy and had one living child, arrived at Isidro Kintanar Memorial Hospital in Argao with pregnancy complications on Monday, July 21. However, no obstetrician was available, and she was referred to Carcar Provincial Hospital.

At Carcar Provincial Hospital, the lone obstetrician on duty found the woman's cervix dilated only three centimeters and did not schedule surgery. The obstetrician's shift ended at 8 p.m., and no other obstetrician took over after the shift. A general practitioner took over the care of the patient at 9 p.m. and referred her to Cebu South Medical Center, 30 kilometers away.

Unfortunately, the baby went into distress during transit, and was later confirmed dead. The mother also died soon after arriving at Cebu South Medical Center.

This tragic incident highlights the critical shortage of obstetricians in Cebu's provincial hospitals. Across the province, only four obstetricians cover four provincial hospitals, with some district facilities having just two or three specialists. This severe understaffing leaves many night shifts without any obstetrician, especially when doctors are on leave or handling emergencies.

The large catchment areas of these hospitals, such as Carcar serving 24 municipalities and cities, amplify the impact of the thin OB-GYN staffing on care capacity and patient outcomes. The provincial government, represented by Governor Pamela Baricuatro, acknowledges the urgent need to hire more specialists and is investigating referral and staffing protocols to prevent similar tragedies.

Assistance and aid have been extended to the affected family, while suspensions of liable hospital personnel are being considered as part of accountability measures. The Capitol's investigation will review referral protocols, staffing logs, and whether medical guidelines were followed.

Governor Baricuatro has stated that hiring specialists is the first step to address the gap in staffing. She called the deaths "heartbreaking" and vowed to hold anyone accountable. Cebu Province Social Welfare and Development has provided the family with P10,000 in burial aid, groceries, and rice.

In summary, the shortage of obstetricians in Cebu's provincial hospitals is critically undermining the care of high-risk pregnancies, contributing to fatal outcomes and prompting urgent calls for improved staffing and healthcare system reforms. It is hoped that this tragic incident will lead to increased investment in maternal healthcare and the hiring of more specialists to ensure the safety and wellbeing of expectant mothers and their babies in Cebu Province.

1. The government in Cebu needs to take immediate action to address the critical shortage of obstetricians in its provincial hospitals.
2. The deaths of the pregnant woman and her unborn child were due to a lack of an on-duty obstetrician at Carcar Provincial Hospital.
3. This tragic incident highlights the importance of healthcare and wellness in the workplace, especially for those with medical conditions such as chronic diseases.
4. The lone obstetrician on duty at Carcar Provincial Hospital refused to schedule a cesarean section, which eventually led to the woman's death.
5. Cebu's provincial hospitals are understaffed, with only four obstetricians covering four hospitals and some district facilities having just two or three specialists.
6. The large catchment areas of these hospitals make the impact of the thin OB-GYN staffing on care capacity and patient outcomes even more significant.
7. The provincial government, led by Governor Pamela Baricuatro, is investigating referral and staffing protocols to prevent similar tragedies.
8. The woman, in her third pregnancy, had already given birth to one living child.
9. Assistance and aid have been extended to the affected family, including burial aid, groceries, and rice from Cebu Province Social Welfare and Development.
10. The general practitioner who took over the woman's care at Carcar Provincial Hospital referred her to Cebu South Medical Center, 30 kilometers away.
11. The baby went into distress during transit and was later confirmed dead, while the mother also died soon after arriving at Cebu South Medical Center.
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13. Mental health, especially among men, is often overlooked but is a crucial aspect of health and wellness, and should be taken seriously in industries like finance.
14. Women's health, including issues like nutrition, aging, and skin care, is an essential part of the health and wellness conversation.
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16. Cardiovascular health is crucial for maintaining a healthy body and preventing a wide range of chronic diseases, including cancer.
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23. Pregnancy complications like those faced by the woman in this incident can be exacerbated by certain medications and therapies, leading to unexpected outcomes.
24. Parenting, especially during further pregnancy, requires a great deal of care and attention to ensure the well-being of both mother and child.
25. Accountability measures, such as suspensions of liable hospital personnel, are being considered as part of the investigation into the incident.
26. Cebu South Medical Center was not prepared to handle the emergency cesarean section, contributing to the tragic outcome.
27. The incident at Carcar Provincial Hospital underscores the need for improved healthcare system reforms, particularly for high-risk pregnancies.
28. Investing in maternal healthcare and hiring more specialists is a crucial first step in addressing the gap in staffing and ensuring the safety and well-being of expectant mothers and their babies.
29. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of healthcare and wellness for all, regardless of location or financial status.

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