Bago City Hospital in Negros Occidental is under renewed scrutiny following the death of Cyrene Tolosa Gersala on February 26, 2025. Her passing comes just days after a similar case on February 18, when a newborn reportedly died due to alleged medical negligence.
Incident Details
According to her brother, Kerr Tipawan Tolosa, Gersala, a married mother of three from Barangay Busay, Bago City, was involved in a motorcycle accident on February 22. She sustained a leg injury and was taken to Bago City Hospital, where doctors initially diagnosed it as a sprain. Later, they recommended surgery, scheduling it for February 28. However, Gersala’s condition unexpectedly worsened, leading to her death two days before the scheduled procedure.
Allegations of Medical Negligence
Tolosa claimed his sister was stable until February 26, when she developed a fever and was given two paracetamol tablets at once. That afternoon, she began struggling to breathe. Due to a shortage of nurses, Tolosa had to assist in caring for his sister. He alleged that the attending physician only arrived when Gersala’s condition became critical and was largely passive, merely instructing the nurses without directly intervening.
Despite Tolosa’s pleas to move Gersala to the emergency room, the doctor refused, insisting that oxygen support was sufficient. When her pulse stopped, hospital staff asked Tolosa to sign a waiver for intubation before attempting to resuscitate her. Even after she showed no signs of life, efforts to revive her continued, causing visible swelling in her head and abdomen. The official cause of death was listed as fat embolism, a term the family said was never properly explained to them.
Previous Case and Ongoing Investigations
This incident follows a similar case on February 18, when a newborn reportedly died due to medical lapses. The baby’s parents accused hospital staff of negligence, claiming that midwives insisted on a normal delivery despite complications, which led to the infant’s death.
Following these cases, Bago City Mayor Nicholas Yulo has ordered an investigation into the hospital’s medical practices.
Family Seeks Justice
Gersala’s family is determined to file legal action against the hospital, holding them accountable for what they believe was preventable negligence. They are calling for better medical protocols to prevent similar tragedies.
Hospital’s Response and Public Concern
As of now, Bago City Hospital has not issued an official statement regarding Gersala’s death. With two high-profile cases in less than two weeks, concerns over healthcare standards in the region continue to grow. The public awaits the outcome of the investigation, hoping for transparency and necessary reforms to improve patient care.