MAITUM, Sarangani – A Facebook post by a concerned mother detailing her distressing experience at the Sarangani Provincial Hospital – Maitum has gone viral, igniting public outrage and renewed calls for compassion, respect, and accountability among public health workers.
Irine May Tañedo Aguila shared her experience on social media after bringing her sick daughter to the hospital around 8:30 p.m. due to nausea, severe headache, stomach pain, and fever. What should have been a routine medical consultation turned into an emotionally taxing ordeal, as Aguila recounted alleged rude and condescending behavior from the attending nurse.
According to Aguila, upon arrival at the nurse station, she waited patiently for the nurse to notice her. When acknowledged, she politely requested a check-up for her daughter. However, she claimed the nurse spoke to her harshly and with an unfriendly tone, even scolding her when her child ran to the restroom due to an urgent need to urinate.
The situation reportedly worsened when Aguila returned with a urine sample as instructed. She alleged that the nurse reacted angrily, scolding her for placing the container on the table and immediately disinfecting the surface while reprimanding her in a demeaning manner.
Aguila further claimed that the nurse continued to question her in a condescending tone, making her feel belittled and disrespected. “Hindi dahil sa tanong, kundi sa tono at asal,” she wrote, explaining that the nurse only softened her approach when Aguila herself became visibly upset.
Her daughter was later diagnosed with a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) based on the urinalysis.
“I am not asking for special treatment,” Aguila stressed. “What I am asking for is fair and respectful treatment. Every patient deserves dignity—especially Indigenous Peoples who need more compassion and understanding.”
The post quickly gained traction online, with netizens expressing anger, disappointment, and solidarity, particularly emphasizing the importance of humane treatment for patients, especially children and members of Indigenous communities.
Hospital Issues Apology, Launches Investigation
In response, Sarangani Provincial Hospital – Maitum released an official statement acknowledging the complaint and apologizing to the family for the distress caused.
“We take all feedback from our patients and community members with the utmost seriousness,” the statement read. “We extend our heartfelt apologies to the family for any distress, disrespect, or frustration they endured.”
Hospital management confirmed that an internal investigation has been launched, including a review of staff protocols, interviews with those involved, and an assessment of training on patient communication and cultural sensitivity. The hospital also invited the family to meet with administrators and the Patient Advocacy team to address the matter constructively.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to being a trusted healthcare partner for our province,” the hospital added.
A Reminder to Public Servants: Service, Not Power
The incident has reopened a long-standing concern about the quality of frontline public service, particularly in government hospitals where patients are often vulnerable, anxious, and in pain.
Public servants—especially healthcare workers—are not only bound by professional ethics but by their oath to serve the people with integrity, respect, and compassion. Their duty is not merely to provide services, but to do so with humanity.
A government position is not a license to belittle, intimidate, or look down on those seeking help. It is a responsibility to uplift, protect, and serve—especially the poor, the marginalized, and Indigenous communities who already face barriers in accessing healthcare.
Beyond Protocols: The Need for Compassion
While procedures and sanitation protocols are essential in medical settings, compassion should never be compromised. A gentle tone, patience, and basic courtesy cost nothing—but mean everything to a parent worried about a sick child.
As this case shows, one moment of insensitivity can overshadow an entire system’s efforts and erode public trust.
Accountability and Reform Needed
The public now awaits the results of the hospital’s investigation. Many are calling not only for accountability but for stronger training on patient relations, cultural sensitivity, and ethical conduct.
This incident should serve as a wake-up call: government service is not about authority—it is about service with dignity.
Because in public service, how you serve is just as important as what you serve.