Doctor hopes K.H.M.H. does the right thing

Marco Tulio Mendez

The ongoing crisis at the national referral hospital due to the unusually high number of baby deaths in the first two weeks of the month of May has sparked the ire of the entire country because the first case of the hospital-based bacteria was initially detected back in February. Other deaths were also recorded in April, but it was not until this week, after at least twelve babies died, that the hospital took note. Pediatrician and Neurologist, Doctor Marco Tulio Mendez last year exposed the alleged malpractice at the northern regional hospital in which many babies died; there was no action from the Ministry of Health. In fact, the person in the eye of the allegations packed up and left the country. Mendez says this is why he is not optimistic that action will be taken against those responsible for the deaths.

Via Phone: Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez, Pediatrician

“Not only this problem have we been facing, but the problem up here at the northern regional hospital. They said that they were going to do an investigation. Up to now we don’t know what went on. I mean I think what went on, but they didn’t went in depth of the entire problem that our pregnant mothers and women went through just about six months ago. So I am pretty sure, I don’t know if this investigation will help. But what needs to be done is that the steps that supposed to be taken has occurred right now; for example, closing the neonatal intensive care unit is a good measure. And that was what they needed to do also here at the northern regional hospital when I was asking to close down the maternal unit because the mothers are suffering, the children are suffering. We have three, four children with seizures here up to now and nothing has been said about it. It is just like they are waiting for people to forget about the entire crisis and they continue. And that is really bad for the country. and my condolences to all the mothers and fathers that are going through very hard times in their lives right now with the twelve babies. It is definitely painful and I just hope that the authorities do something about it.”

At the northern regional hospital, there were complaints of malpractice and hospital negligence from at least eleven mothers.