An octogenarian who was involved in a motorcycle accident last month was forced to seek medical attention at a private hospital after she was sent away, without being treated, from the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) where she had been transferred to undergo emergency surgery.
Speaking to Stabroek News yesterday, Maria Montouth, daughter of 84-year-old Carmel DeSouza of Lot 532 Determa Street, Mackenzie, Linden said her mother was involved in a motorcycle accident during last month which resulted in her sustaining a fractured ankle.
DeSouza was rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex where her injured foot was examined by a doctor. Two days later, the doctor transferred her to the GPH, to undergo an emergency surgery.
According to Montouth, her mother was transferred to the GPH by ambulance, but doctors there did no further examination of the injured foot. Rather, she said, they informed her and other relatives that they should take DeSouza home since the doctor at Linden Hospital Complex had done, “a good job” and her mother was doing well.
She said her mother was forced to stay at a relative’s house in Georgetown, since it was late the evening. The following day she was taken to the St Joseph Mercy Hospital as she was in severe pain. There, an x-ray revealed that DeSouza had two broken bones in the ankle. She was operated on immediately and was admitted to the hospital before being discharged.
Stabroek News tried contacting acting Chief Executive Officer of the GPH Alan Johnson to no avail. Calls to Public Relations Officer Mitzy Campbell also proved futile.
However, DeSouza’s relatives yesterday vented their anger at the treatment meted out to her at the GPH and are calling on the relevant authorities to take the necessary action.
