Another baby dies in PG; family claims negligence
Another family is preparing to bury a baby in the Toledo District, this time in the village of San Antonio. And like in the first case involving a newborn a few days ago, this family of baby Evander Sho is also claiming negligence. Both babies under one years of age died within a period of two weeks. And this is what happened between May nineteenth and last Tuesday when two babies died, allegedly because of negligence. Marion Ali is just back from Punta Gorda and has this report.
Marion Ali, Reporting
The Sho and Canti families of San Antonio Village, Toledo are mourning tonight after the death of six month old Evander Sho. The toddler died from dehydration and gastroenteritis last Thursday afternoon. And baby Evander’s family is accusing the Punta Gorda Polyclinic and Hospital of negligence. Florencia Canti says her first-born child fell ill at home last Tuesday.
Florencia Canti, Child’s Mother
“Ih just got fever and lost stool and vomiting.”
Marion Ali
“Okay, so what did you do?”
Florencia Canti
“I take him to the clinic there in San Antonio there on Wednesday but the loose stool and vomiting and fever started on Tuesday. My husband tell me mek I ker he to the clinic. Then I ker my baby and go to the clinic right deh and they gave me some medication and they give me two injection; one for fever and one for vomiting.”
But the treatment administered at the San Antonio Polyclinic did not seem to improve the child’s condition and Canti said she decided to take him to the P.G. Polyclinic. That would be the start of their dilemma. Canti alleges the nurse at the P.G. Polyclinic refused to accept the child.
Florencia Canti
“Lucy Cayetano tell me why I come right here.”
Marion Ali
“Who is Lucy Cayetano?”
Florencia Canti
“I think the nurse. She tell me that why I come right here. She tell me that I got a big hospital right there in San Antonio. But there are three doctors she tell me but I done come right there so they give me some medication for the baby. I give the medication to the baby and the loose stool, it stop it. When I reach San Antonio on Thursday…”
Marion Ali
“So what happened when you came here? When she told you all of this what happened? Did they receive the baby?”
Florencia Canti
“No, he don’t receive the baby. He send me mek I go dah San Antonio.”
Marion Ali
“Who did this?”
Florencia Canti
“Ms. Lucy.”
Marion Ali
“Sent you back with the child?”
Florencia Canti
“Yes, sent me back again to San Antonio.”
But by the time the mother and child returned to the San Antonio Polyclinic Evander’s condition had rapidly deteriorated.
Florencia Canti
“When the nurse try to give him some drip, but the drip neva gone with that baby.”
Marion Ali
“This is in San Antonio?”
Florencia Canti
“Yes, this is San Antonio Clinic. Then the nurse tell me mek I come back again dah di Punta Gorda Hospital.”
So Canti packed up and travelled to Punta Gorda a second time with her baby on Thursday. This time she went to the P.G. Hospital’s Emergency Unit. But by that time it was too late. Baby Evander died at two-thirty that same afternoon. The child’s father, Jerome Sho is understandably upset with what has happened. He says he is just one of several persons who have complaints about the medical treatment provided at the PG Hospital and Polyclinic.
Jerome Sho, Child’s Father
“I try my best to help my son. Dat dah my son so I try my best to help he. That’s why I send ah dah di clinic in San Antonio first. So I tell my wife mek we go deh and di next day, dat is Wednesday, he get medication and some injection for di baby. By dat time I si di baby still not getting alright so I tell my wife mek ih come back way dah PG clinic. Den she told me he noh accept by the hospital. I see that we are getting the same treatment what has happen to the other people.”
Allegations of impatience and indifference by nurses and nurses’ aides at the PolyClinic and Hospital are just two of the accusations that have been made. On May nineteenth another baby died when, according to his family, he was born with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck. His mother’s cries for help went unanswered and the child perished. But the list of complaints against the PG Polyclinic and Hospital seems to be unending. And on Wednesday, villagers from several communities will picket the two institutions. People like San Antonio midwife, Francisca Assi.
Francisca Assi, midwife, San Antonio, Toledo
“My message will be to STOP this disaster going on. It’s a disaster to we because we are not seen like human being.”
But while the protest will proceed as planned, the Sho and Canti families won’t be able to make it. That’s because they will be burying their child in their home village. Marion Ali for News Five.
When News Five arrived at the PG Polyclinic today we spoke with Doctor Natalia Beer from the Ministry of Health, who told us that she was reviewing the reports of the two cases. Beer did not volunteer any information, saying that the investigation was just in its preliminary stage. We also tried the Acting Deputy Regional Manager at the PG Hospital, Dr. Bhutathi Raju, but his only comments to us was quote … “I have no comment” …unquote. But another medical officer at the Hospital did admit to us that there are many problems at the hospital. He acknowledged problems such as lack of adequate medical equipment, insufficient and unqualified support staff, and improper treatment of patients. It’s a problem that many say has been getting worse over the years and one that only a total overhaul would effectively address.
