South hospital doctor cries cover-up

Head of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department at the San Fernando General Hospital, (SFGH) Dr Jehan Ali yesterday said there is a “blatant cover-up” going on regarding the death of 18- year-old Anisa Ramdial’s seven-week-old baby at the neonatal unit of Mt Hope Women’s Hospital. Dr Ali also called for an investigation into the increase in the number of infections taking place at the hospital.

Dr Ali accused the North West Regional Health Authority (NWRHA) of trying to give the impression the baby did not have an infection. Health Minister John Rahael yesterday said he is awaiting reports from investigations taking place and would await them before commenting. In a media release last week, the NWRHA said the baby’s death on October 7 was the result of disseminated intravascular coagulopothy (DIC).  The NWRHA said the baby was born premature and had “severe challenges” including premature organs and systems, foetal abnormality of major organs and severe jaundice and its attendant complications. Dr Ali told Newsday the cause of death — DIC was due to septic shock which is the result of septicaemia. He said endotoxins cause septicaemia and septic shock. This affects clotting and the baby’s platelets drop. “But it is bacteria causing it,” he said. While premature babies are susceptible to infection from various sources, it happens in the presence of bacteria. “It does not drop from the sky, if they are brought up to a sterile environment they will not get infection.”

Dr Ali said there are a certain number of nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections among babies but if the number is more than normal then there is a problem. While there was an outbreak last September, Dr Ali said Mt Hope also had an enterobacter problem in January which was traced to a leaking sewer line. After the September outbreak “someone decided they should sanitise all nurseries,” but he said the authorities should investigate why there is an increase in infections happening at Mt Hope. Meanwhile, there is yet no information from the North West Regional Health Authority (NWRHA) on the presence of enterobacter, although the Medical Chief of Staff Dr Esau Joseph on Tuesday said it was detected in two babies admitted to the neonatal unit. Whether any deaths at the unit were the result of the area being contaminated has not yet been determined.

NWRHA corporate communications manager Charmaine Codrington yesterday said investigations are continuing. She could not give details and did not want the information released in a “piecemeal” manner. Contacted yesterday, Dr Joseph said he could not comment and releases will have to come from the NWRHA’s Communications Department.