I was shocked to hear the comments of the new Minister of Health on his Divali day visit to the PoS General Hospital concerning yet another tragic loss of a full-term baby.
The circumstances surrounding the death of baby Asia Marie Small, seems all too familiar; a tale of an unacceptable level of neglect and disregard to cries from the mother and father begging for help and attention for an existing problem that only a mother can discern, consequently putting mother and baby at risk.
T&T has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world, and it is nonsensical to suggest the often avoidable deaths of these innocents are due to irresponsible choices before or during the woman’s pregnancy, leading to diabetes, obesity or hypertension.
In many cases the evidence has pointed towards severe and unacceptable cases of medical malpractice and or palpably bad health care and neglect by both nurses and doctors.
Another innocent precious life has been lost due to very questionable circumstances, the empathy and support should be directed towards the grieving parents and family of the deceased infant.
It is unconscionable to seek to initially defend and insulate the medical staff from blame by redirecting any blame to the victims of this tragedy. Medical patients deserve to have their rights and dignity recognised and respected also.
Caroline Henry,
Arima
