A grieving grandmother yesterday intercepted Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan during an impromptu walk-through of the Mt Hope Women’s Hospital pleading with him for help after her daughter’s baby was born dead the day before.
Hinting it might be as a result of neglect by nursing personnel at the Mt Hope Women’s Hospital, Gita Boneo questioned why medical professionals had not acted faster to save her only grandson’s life.
Prompting a shock-wave of reactions from senior officials and visitors to the hospital, Gita Boneo had to be physically assisted by Khan and chief medical officer Dr Colin Furlonge in the main lobby after she broke down crying.
At the time Khan had been on his way out, having completed a walk-through of the partially refurbished facility during which he greeted members of the public and spoke with health care professionals about the improved services.
Unable to speak properly as she struggled to breathe, Gita’s voice dropped as she revealed to the minister that although her daughter Tricia had been diagnosed with ovarian cysts, she had carried her baby to a full-term of 39 weeks.
Tricia, 27, had been admitted to the hospital the day before and her baby was pronounced dead on Monday.
Leading the crying woman into an elevator, Khan took charge of the situation as he went to the ward and met with Tricia, Gita and other family members in a private room.
Begging for answers, Gita asked: “I want to know how I am going to help my daughter?”
With tears rolling down her face and soaking Khan’s jacket and shirt, Gita kept questioning: “Why didn’t they cut her before and take the baby? Her water bag burst and they just had her there. They treat her like she was nothing. When she called the nurse, the nurse said ‘Go back in your bed.’”
Reassuring the grieving woman, Khan directed Furlonge and the Medical Chief of Staff at the hospital to initiate an investigation into the circumstances that led to the emergency Caesarian section being performed on Tricia.
Adding that was Tricia’s first baby, Gita voiced her uncertainty about the future as she said: “I don’t know what will happen. We are hearing all kinds of things. I am not blaming anyone. I just want to know how…”
Re-emerging to address reporters in the lobby about the situation, Khan explained that Gita’s reaction was that off someone who was suffering deep grief.
Acknowledging the family’s loss which remained fresh in their minds, Khan revealed Gita had received counseling.
However, he added: “I think she needs more.”
Pressed to say what he advised officials to do, Khan said: “Unfortunately, the baby died and we now have to investigate and see what was the cause of death, whether we could have prevented it, or changed it or otherwise. We will now be moving into the investigative stage.”
Alluding to the fact that the pregnancy might have been complicated, Khan said he would be unable to provide any definitive answers until the investigation was complete.
Claiming that all notes relating to the matter would be examined, the minister assured: “This won’t be an investigation that will be swept under the carpet.”
Attempts to speak with members of the family were declined.