Taping baby’s mouth not a standard procedure — DOH

MANILA — After allegations that taping babies’ mouths was a regular practice being done in a hospital in Cebu, the Department of Health (DOH) clarified that it is not a standard procedure in any hospital or medical facility in the country.

“Walang kaming ganoong guidelines unless may dapat gawin sa bata na kailangan ganoon ang procedure, (We do not have any guidelines like that, unless there are certain things that need to be conducted to the child requiring the said procedure.),” DOH spokesman Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy explained.

Lee Suy also explained that the practice of taping babies’ mouths is dangerous for a newborn, adding that he does not know any institution doing the same practice.

The baby’s mother posted pictures of her newborn with tape on her cheeks and mouth to secure a pacifier, making the incident viral on social networking sites.

Though the incident happened last February, the pictures were posted on May 24. The mother explained that he posted the pictures to expose the hospital’s malpractices.

The DOH regional office and the Cebu hospital’s officials are already conducting an investigation on the incident.

With reports from GMA News