Dear Editor,
I went to the New Amsterdam hospital this morning to make some enquiries concerning the death of Charran Danai, a 15-year-old boy from the Corentyne, who died at the Skeldon Hospital a few days ago. What I found at that ‘state of the art hospital’ will blow the minds of friends in the diaspora.
I was waiting in the general outpatients’ area about 8am, and heard a lady ask a nurse to show her where the washroom was. The lady was told that the washroom was out of order and had been so for the longest while because the administration could not find parts for it.
Here is the next situation. The body of 15-year-old Charran Danai was in the mortuary since Friday waiting for a post mortem to be done. The relatives are waiting to have a funeral for their loved one and no post mortem. Why this hassle? Drs Nehaul Singh and V Brijmohan are the only two Government pathologists in the country. Dr Brijmohan is currently on leave and Dr Nehaul Singh has his hands full. So, where does that leave us, the citizens of this country? Dr Yacoob took time to do the post mortem and facilitate the relatives.
The mortuary has no freezer unit to keep the bodies somewhat preserved, so as the days go by and the relatives wait for a doctor to do the post mortem the bodies decay, because the mortuary is a hell hole, not even fit for the dead. The stench in there could kill.
I recall at an earlier date a patient died at the Skeldon Hospital during the shift of two very young doctors, and Dr Mahadeo was down there like a jet to have reports filled out and questions answered. Commendable. Why did no one bat an eyelid over the death of young Danai, who complained of a headache and fever and was given medication and 6 bags of liquid? The post mortem, done by Dr Yacoob on Tuesday, revealed that the 15-year-old had lung, liver and kidney failure. All his main organs failed suddenly, even though he was never sick before, and the medical professionals do not want to know why?
I would suggest to the Minister that every time a person dies at one of the public hospitals a report should be written up and placed where relatives can access it. It should be above board. I am sure that he will agree that too many persons have died at the public hospitals under mysterious or questionable circumstances. Doctors are not gods and mistakes will be made, but when a life is lost because of a mistake then questions should be asked and answers provided.
The Health Minister should make an effort to bring positive changes to the lives of the people who depend on the medical services provided.
Yours faithfully,
Charrandass Persaud
Editor’s note
We are sending a copy of this letter to Dr Vishwa Mahadeo, CEO of the Berbice Regional Health Authority for any comment he might wish to make.
