Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony yesterday assured that action will be taken against those found at fault in the death of Vanessa Lewis-Sahadeo, the Corentyne mother who succumbed last Saturday morning after an unsuccessful delivery at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital.
During his contribution to the budget debate yesterday, Anthony told members of the National Assembly that following news of the death an investigation was immediately launched and the team has since completed the investigation. “And when I get those recommendations we will take action against the nurses and doctors and whoever is at fault in that unfortunate death,” he said.
Lewis-Sahadeo, 31, succumbed at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) in the wee hours last Saturday morning, hours after being transferred from the New Amsterdam hospital where she had a stillbirth delivery.
An autopsy was conducted on Sahadeo’s baby daughter yesterday at the New Amsterdam Hospital and the cause of death was given as Newborn Hemorrhagic Syndrome, Sahadeo’s uncle, Joseph Lewis confirmed.
The uncle said yesterday that the family was told that the hemorrhagic syndrome is as result of a deficiency of Vitamin K. He said that they were advised that if a deficiency of Vitamin K was discovered, a dosage of the vitamin could have been administered one hour before birth but this was not done.
He added that the cause of death does not explain one side of the baby’s head being compressed and blood shot. “They apparently used clamps and when this didn’t work then they went and do the C section,” the man claimed.
Lewis-Sahadeo’s family has criticised the New Amsterdam Hospital’s care of the woman, who was a mother of three.
Meanwhile, the uncle said that the post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death of Lewis-Sahadeo, was expected to be done yesterday at the Georgetown Public Hospital. He noted that her relatives traveled to the city but were told that the New Amsterdam Public Hospital had not sent her chart as yet.
A short while after, relatives were then informed that the New Amsterdam Public Hospital requested that the body be transported to Region Six where the autopsy would be done but the woman’s family objected.
As a result, the autopsy was deferred until tomorrow, when it is expected to be done at the GPH. Relatives have requested that Dr. Nehaul Singh conduct the autopsy, and also, that a medical professional of their choice be present on their behalf.
Lewis yesterday told Stabroek News that President Irfaan Ali and Minister Anthony have both personally reached out to the family and assured them that “they will get to the bottom of the matter.” Additionally, he said, other ministers have reached out, with Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha visiting them.
According to the uncle, a team comprising three doctors, including the Director General of the Ministry of Health Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo, Dr. Veerasammy Ramayya and Regional Chairman David Armogan visited the family on Sunday and identified themselves as part of the investigating team. He said they spoke with relatives in an effort to gather information.
Presently, the man noted, the family is awaiting the findings from the investigation to decide on what it does next. However, he stated, that they are hopeful that based on the recommendations from the investigation serious action will be taken against those found responsible.
Lewis stated that family members have reached out to nurses at the hospital and questioned why no medication was administered to Sahadeo and they were told that the medication is either expired or in short supply.
According to him, nurses cannot be blamed for what transpired as they can only work with what they have. He charged that management of the region’s health sector is “incompetent” as he called for senior persons to be replaced immediately. “The administration up there (Region Six) needs to change. We have to replace them.”
Noting, that the junior staff cannot function effectively without proper management, he said that if seniors are to be removed then those on the ground would know that “the big ones are being held accountable” and then they are likely to fall in line.
Also, the man said Sahadeo’s sister is currently pregnant along with another cousin and at some point will have to return to the hospital but they are scared to do so without any assurance that changes have been made.
