Ministry clears doctor of wrongdoing

Ashmeena Pathay and her stillborn baby died in 1994 at the San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH). Yvette Richardson died in 1997 after she bled following delivery. Three babies died in 1998 and in 2001. Rampersadsingh, a specialist medical officer, was also accused of verbally abusing Dr Alfredo Walker.

In November, 21, 2005, the ministry’s permanent secretary, Reynold Cooper, wrote to Rampersadsingh informing him that a tribunal had been set up to “assess your performance, ability and competence as a Registrar General, General Hospital, San Fernando.” The tribunal was headed by Dr Esau Joseph, acting medical chief of staff, Mt Hope Women’s Hospital and Dr Samuel Ramsewak, professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

In a 16-page report, Dr Esau stated that Rampersadsingh was not the specialist medical officer who attended to Pathay.

The report stated: “Death of baby born to Radica Beharry — specialist medical officer — not Krishna Rampersadsingh. The verbal abuse of Dr Walker — not Rampersadsingh.

The report also stated that the surgical treatment of Richardson was taken over by a general surgeon. It added that the laparotomy (cutting open of the stomach) was not done by Rampersadsingh.

The report concluded that the allegations made against Rampersadsingh were done by a specialist doctor who never actually worked with Rampersadsingh.