The two maternity deaths at the Georgetown Public Hospital [GPHC] over the weekend occurred because of complications and an internal investigation into both cases has begun, Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony said yesterday.
Simultaneously, the Minister said that an external independent investigation will be done to ascertain if there were any gaps during the delivery of healthcare to both patients.
Speaking during yesterday’s COVID-19 briefing, the Minister also said that it is the GPHC’s protocol that maternal deaths occurring at the institution undergo a thorough internal review by a special staff committee. An external investigation will be done by the maternal mortality review committee (a body independent of the hospital). Dr Anthony said that all documentation relating to both cases has been sent to the committees. He further stated that findings from the internal and external reviews will aid the Ministry in addressing any gaps in delivering maternal health care.