BM Lammawin urges formal complaint before Kalinga SP acts on patient treatment issue: “We have to follow the rules”

“Haan ko ammo nu sino diay doctor or sino diay nurse… kunana apay anya dayta nga mangbulabog ka ti pasyente. Ipan mo dayta anak mo idiay, haan nga agsangsangit ditoy, ta mangistorbo.” - Complainant

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — “We have to follow the rules.” Board Member Camilo T. Lammawin Jr. stressed the need for a formal complaint before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Kalinga can officially act on allegations of improper treatment of a patient.

Lammawin made the statement after a concern involving the alleged improper treatment of a patient by health workers was raised during the SP’s regular session on Tuesday, September 8.

He said the provincial board may take up such complaints through the appropriate committee, but concerned individuals must first formally file their complaints so the SP can act within its authority and observe proper procedures.

His statement echoed the earlier call of Board Member Alfredo K. Dangani, chairperson of the SP Committee on Health and Sanitation, for patients and their families who may have experienced similar treatment to formally report their concerns to the proper authorities.

Mother-in-law narrates alleged treatment

During the session, the patient’s mother-in-law narrated their experience after the patient, who was already in labor, was found to have a blood pressure of 140/110.

According to the mother-in-law, a doctor initially advised that the patient could be admitted because of her high blood pressure. At Kalinga Provincial Hospital (KPH), she said they went directly to the Outpatient Clinic (OPC), where they were instructed to get a number and wait for the patient to be examined.

She said they were later told that the baby could possibly be delivered at around 1 p.m. and that they could temporarily go home, but should not return to Pinukpuk in case the patient suddenly experienced severe labor pains.

Because of this, the family stayed at a relative’s boarding house in Bulanao while waiting for further developments.

At around 6 p.m., they brought the patient back to KPH after her labor pains intensified.

The mother-in-law said the patient was examined at around 7 p.m., given dextrose, and admitted to the ward. She then stayed with the patient as the latter continued to experience labor pains.

According to the mother-in-law, at around 11 p.m., a nurse allegedly approached them and questioned why the patient was crying and disturbing other patients.

She further narrated that her daughter-in-law continued crying because of the labor pains and alleged that the nurse instructed her to bring the patient to another room because her crying was disturbing other patients.

The mother-in-law said she followed the instruction and brought the patient to another room but was later told that she could not stay there.

She recalled the nurse allegedly telling her:

“Haan ko ammo nu sino diay doctor or sino diay nurse. Itata nagururay kami diay ward habang nga aglablabor isuna, diay manugang ko nga taga Lubuagan, ket nakaida, aglaborlabor idiay, nu maysa ka nga ina mariknam ti sakit na aglabor. Kunak diay manugang ko kayam dayta... tano CS ka awan kuwartam. Inggana nga 11 o’clock agsangsangiten diay manugang ko ket inmay ti maysa nga nurse, kunana apay anya dayta nga mangbulabog ka ti pasyente. Ipan mo dayta anak mo idiay, haan nga agsangsangit ditoy, ta mangistorbo. Tata, inpan ko iti maysa nga room ket kunada, Ma’am, haan ka mabalin nga agyan ditoy.”

The account prompted board members to explain the process that must be followed before the SP can formally act on the matter.

“We have to follow the rules”

In response, Lammawin thanked the woman for sharing her account but explained that the provincial board must observe its rules and procedures when taking up a complaint, particularly when a matter is referred to a committee for formal proceedings.

“Agayaman kami, Misis, ti panagexplicar mo didjay. Ngem kayat ko iexplain nga we have to follow the rules,” Lammawin said in response to the concern raised before the SP.

He assured the complainant that the matter could be referred to the appropriate committee but stressed that a formal complaint is necessary rather than relying solely on an account presented during a regular session.

Once a complaint is formally filed, the concerned individuals may be invited to a hearing to explain what happened and respond to the allegations before the committee determines what action, if any, may be appropriate.

Proper quorum required

Lammawin also emphasized the need for the committee to have the proper quorum when conducting official proceedings.

Under Section 53 of Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991, a majority of all elected and qualified members of the sanggunian is required to constitute a quorum.

Lammawin said the required number of members must be present for the provincial board to conduct official business and take action within its authority.

“Ket nu aghearing to ti committee, mapaayaban kan to (the woman who complained) met laeng. We will attend to that in the proper quorum,” he added.