More than a month after an 18-year-old mother of two died of injuries she sustained during a botched abortion, the Medical Council has launched an investigation into the matter.
Karen Badal, of Lot 2 North Vigilance, East Coast Demerara, was four months pregnant when she died as a result of a perforated uterus and acute peritonitis. This was the finding of Pathologist Dr. Vivikanand Bridgemohan, who performed the post mortem examination at the Georgetown Public Hospital last month.
According to the dead teen’s mother-in-law, Pammy, they have not yet received feedback from the police and she was dissatisfied with the way the investigation is being conducted. She pointed out that the family is hoping for a better outcome from the Medical Council, to which they sent a letter reporting Badal’s death. The woman said she is also hoping they do their best to find the doctor implicated in the incident, since he has not yet been found by police.
When contacted, the Secretary of the Medical Council Juanita Johnson said the report was received and the investigation is ongoing. However, she pointed out that she is uncertain of how long such a process would take.
Minister of Health Bheri Ramsaran had previously told Stabroek News that an investigation led by the Chief Medical Officer within the ministry, Shamdeo Persaud, had been launched. The minister emphasized that they are working in accordance of the laws of Guyana as it relates to illegal abortions.
Vishal Surujpaul, the father of the dead woman’s two children, had also told this newspaper that he is hopeful that the doctor comes forward and sympathizes with them and maybe offer some assistance for the upkeep of their two-year-old and four-month-old sons.
“She left two small children so maybe he can do something for them because he can’t do nothing more, she done dead and gone,” the young man said, while adding that he understands that the doctor did not intend for such a tragic outcome.
