Koronadal City, South Cotabato — A grieving family is demanding justice after their loved one died inside the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital (SCPH), allegedly due to neglect and lack of compassion from medical staff.
According to a viral social media post by Nikka Peligro Dela Cruz, her father-in-law—who was rushed to the hospital due to dangerously high blood sugar—was left unattended despite showing severe breathing difficulties. Instead of urgently assisting the patient, the family alleged that staff ignored their cries for help.
“What hurts the most,” Dela Cruz wrote, “is that help only came AFTER it was too late. What’s the purpose of those pumps when my father-in-law was already gone? Why act when there’s no one left to save?”
The post further alleged that one hospital staff even told the struggling patient to “stop making noise” as he gasped for air. His last words, according to his family, were the name of his grandchild: “Zxiann, Zxiann.”
Before his passing, he reportedly told one of his children, “Gusto pa ko mabuhay” (I still want to live). Moments later, his life ended without the urgent intervention his family believed he deserved.
The incident quickly sparked outrage online, fueling long-standing complaints from patients and relatives about slow and discriminatory treatment in government hospitals. Many netizens questioned whether timely medical care in public facilities is reserved only for those who can pay.
In response to the uproar, South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. has ordered administrative action against several SCPH staff members linked to the incident. Reports indicate that some employees may be dismissed following an internal investigation.
The case has reignited calls for accountability and reforms in the public health system, particularly in provincial hospitals that cater to marginalized communities. Advocates stress that medical attention should never hinge on social or economic status.
This tragedy underscores a pressing concern: how many more lives must be lost before systemic changes ensure that every Filipino—regardless of wealth—receives urgent, compassionate, and dignified healthcare?
As the family of the deceased mourns, their plea remains clear: no one else should suffer the same fate inside a hospital meant to save lives.