–health minister
Minister of Health Dr Leslie Ramsammy said diagnosing appendicitis is not a problem in the health sector but some doctors need to pay greater attention when examining patients.
He said that if the Georgetown Public Hospital had a problem in this area, he was not aware of it but pointed out that the death of little Kean Greaves at the hospital has been drawn to his attention. Ramsammy said that when the hospital concludes its investigation into the girl’s death he will be apprised of the findings.
The Minister told Stabroek News on Tuesday that more than three years ago it became mandatory for all hospitals to investigate maternal and children deaths. He said children under the age of five, fall into the bracket of mandatory investigations.
Asked about a comment he made a few years ago about all hospital deaths being investigated, Ramsammy said he was speaking specifically about maternal and children’s deaths. However, he said it has long been a policy within the health sector for all hospitals to carry out investigations into all deaths. This, he added, could mean preparing a report.
Since he was not certain of whether every hospital has complied with this policy, Ramsammy said he could not comment in detail but he noted that the Georgetown Public Hospital has a system in place where every death is looked at. He said the hospital also has a Morbidity and Mortality Committee that specifically addresses maternal and infant deaths.
Kean Greaves, 10 years, of Agricola, East Bank Demerara died from a ruptured appendix recently at the public hospital following days of medical evaluation. One doctor had recommended surgery for appendicitis but it was not pursued following the opinion of another doctor.
For three days, she was taken to the hospital complaining of an unbearable pain in her tummy and according to her mother, Trudy Nero, doctors looked at her, prescribed tablets and sent her away.
On the day they decided to keep her, the child was already far gone and a late rush for surgery was too late.
The death of another girl, Crystal Stephens which occurred years earlier at the hospital was also recently highlighted and in her case, doctors also had a problem diagnosing appendicitis.
