(Trinidad Express) Something definitely went wrong and health officials were responsible for the death of baby Simeon whose head was cut open during a Caesarean section on Carnival Saturday.
An internal report by the North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA) has found that there were serious questions surrounding the baby’s death.
This report looked at the administrative aspect of the case on whether procedure was followed.
An independent investigative team is yet to be appointed to do a clinical probe on the baby’s death.
On March 1, a C-section was performed on Quelly Ann Cottle, 38, at the Mt Hope Women’s Hospital during which her baby died.
The baby’s father, Emil Millington has pleaded for answers surrounding his son’s death and called on the authorities for action, claiming there was an attempt to cover up the incident by cremating his baby’s body the very day he died.
A report, compiled by the NCRHA quality coordinator, looked at whether process was followed when the surgery was conducted, in particular, whether there were any breaches in the policy with respect to obstetrics.
This 15-page report was hand delivered to Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan on Monday.
Sources told the Express that the report raised concerns over the doctor’s competence to perform the surgery and the fact that contrary to hospital policy no senior consultant was present during the operation.
The report further looked at the entire care of the patient prior and post surgery and again raised questions on both the doctor’s and consultants failure to deliver quality care.
The doctor who performed the surgery had only recently obtained his specialisation in obstetrics and lacked experience in performing C-sections, sources said. He was suspended last Friday with basic pay.
There has been contention on whether two consultants who were supposed to be on duty but were not present should also be held culpable as they allowed a junior specialist to conduct surgery without supervision.
A preliminary autopsy report found that the baby’s head was sliced open during the surgery and the brain tissue was penetrated.
Khan has defended the consultants, saying that they did not have to be present at the hospital as the case was not high risk and they could have been called in if needed.
Sources told the Express that the mere fact that the baby was premature at seven months and the mother was hypertensive made the pregnancy a high risk one and a C-section should not have been done on Carnival Saturday.
Millington told the Express that he was disappointed with the Minister’s comments and felt that he (Khan) has already gone in defensive mode even before an investigation has started.
“I was watching Dr Khan on TV and he is in defence mode, that bothers me terribly. Doctors always cover for doctors, this just contribute more to my anger,” said Millington.
He said the investigative team should be headed by a foreigner and who has no medical ties to this country.
Millington said he wants to have a funeral for his son but was awaiting the final autopsy result which should be made available today after which a date will be decided.
“I want to get my child buried, his body has been roaming around on this earth for too long and it is taking a toll on the mother. I really want to see the healing process begin,” said Millington.
He said he has retained the services of attorney Colin Selvon to represent his wife and himself in the matter.
