Investigation says Kimora?s care by K.H.M.H. “acceeptable”
The case has been at the centre of controversy for the last several weeks as investigators search for answers in the death of baby Kimora Leslie. Today a four page report on the official findings of a five person panel appointed by the Minister of Health was released to the media. The team’s conclusion is that the K.H.M.H. provided acceptable medical care to the child, although not without unnecessary administrative delays. At a press conference held this morning, lead investigator Dr. Jorge Polanco, Director of Health Services, explained the circumstances of Kimora’s death.
Dr. Jorge Polanco, Director of Health Services
?The child came in and the child was managed at the accident and emergency room by the health professionals who were there. We looked at a chronology of events from when that child came in until when she died. We looked at all the details in regards to nursing care, in regards to the administration of the drugs, in regards to recording and everything. And we also looked at the information coming from the pathologist and we also looked at the death certificate. When we looked at that, what we concluded from there is that the care that the baby got during that time while she was within Karl Heusner was within acceptable standards. Let me explain what I mean by that. She came in, in a critical condition. The records show that she had had convulsions. We noticed she was classified by the attending physician as being very critical. I also read there that the neurosurgeon, when he operated her at that point in time, said he would have to wait for that child to stabilize before doing any neurosurgical intervention which was logical. Unfortunately, the child died, but when we look at it within that context of the nature of the pathology of that child, we look at the history of that child as Minister made reference to, that child has had about thirteen encounters if I am not mistaken from the moment of birth to death.?
?The pathologist informed me that no matter what we would have done to that child, no shunt would have really saved the child.?
Also sitting at the head table this morning was Minister of Health Jose Coye. Coye contends that while there are obvious limitations to medical services at the K.H.M.H., the Ministry of Health will do the best with what it has.
Jose Coye, Minister of Health
?Yes, I think because the investigation was centred on the finding of facts and then to look at those facts to see whether they resulted in any breaches of what we put in there the contracts etc. I feel the investigation has gone sufficient for us now to pause to take stock for us to make the next move. One, clearly to look at where we can improve within the hospital, particularly as I said earlier, we need to pause to look at the services we can really provide with our limited resources.?
?We can give the assurance that we will do our utmost best to take our limited resources and put them to the best use.?
Recommendations made by the panel include an investigation into Dr. Giovanni Lara’s conduct by the Belize Medical Council; general training to improve public relations at the K.H.M.H. and the creation of a formal relationship between charity organisations and the K.H.M.H. Baby Kimora died on April twenty ninth from complications due to hydrocephalus. Her family was unable to secure the finances needed to have the little girl undergo a private operation as there were no available neurosurgeons at the K.H.M.H. In a press release today the K.H.M.H. announced that although it is currently unable to offer neurological services efforts are underway to recruit at least one neurosurgeon.
