Dear Editor,
At the risk of sounding repetitious, in my capacity of Certified Midwife, ex-head of an Obstetrical Post-Partum Unit, and also a Nursing examiner for State Registered Nurses awaiting licensure, I am somewhat awestruck at the excuse that a newborn ‒ Baby Balgobin ‒ rolled off the cot and fell to the ground. Such an excuse goes to the very core of the training period, and calls for the institution of harsh remedial measures. Newborns do not roll immediately following birth, and the nurse proffering such an excuse for the fall should be treated condignly. As early as 4 months a baby may be able to kick himself over, and it may take 5-6 months of age before the baby is able to flip from back to front. The rationale behind this is that such a manoeuvre requires stronger neck and arm muscles. Minister of Public Health George Norton has indicated that he intends to turn the matter over to the police. While this may be criminally correct, I daresay that he should also be in communication with the licensing body of the nurses as well as the doctor who was made aware of the incident, and the doctor who attended to the newborn after the fall. What was he/she told about the occurrence? What were his/her findings? Did he/she feel that the injury was not consistent with the reported information? If so, what immediate measures were instituted? The nurse(s) once found guilty should be treated condignly, and the matter referred to her Licensing body for further investigation and sanctions as deemed necessary. A strong message should be sent, especially to colleagues who may try to lie.
The media state that new evidence appears to be surfacing; this is somewhat late but seemingly better late than never. I am in accord with the Minister that it was negligence that caused the fall of the baby, although he added that he would await the completion of the investigation. There are a few givens that remain constant in this sad saga, but what is not given and cannot be forgiven is the profusion of reasons underpinning contact between baby’s head and the floor, and the parts played by humans. While the involved parties may be senior nurses, on the face of things they are certainly as infantile as the newborn where it comes to telling the truth. Representatives of the health profession should be given the boot when they are found concealing the truth. After all nurses are the cornerstone of the health profession, and when a lie is told, you steal someone’s right to the truth. The parents deserve the truth and the facts surrounding the acts. Baby Balgobin should not be the only one to fall.
Yours faithfully,
Yvonne Sam
