The Ministry of Heath has announced that an investigation is underway into the death of a mother and her unborn child at St. Jude Hospital in Vieux-Fort on Saturday evening.
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Merlene Fredericks has described the death as a “very sad situation” and has expressed condolences to the family, friends and partner of the young woman on behalf of the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Fredericks said a preliminary investigation has revealed that there “may have been some underlying medical cdonitons which contributed to the young lady’s demise”.
She added: “However, we will as a ministry, before the end of the week, commission a full inquiry of which we wil have specialists in obstetrics and gynecology, in internal medicine and cardiology from St. Jude, from Victoria Hospital and the community, review the notes and review the filings to ensure that procedures and policies and everything were followed during the care of the young lady.”
The CMO said an autopsy will reveal the cause of death.
“From our investigation so far it does indicate that when she came in on the Saturday evening, she was quite distressed, and so, inspite of the urgent emergency management which she received, the outcome was unfavourable,” Frederick added.
She further stated that every woman has a right for a safe delivery.
The Authorities ought to take notice. This is how an unexpected death is handled. Eliminate the shroud of suspicious by being transparent and forthright. Do everything by the book and with integrity. This can only be done when you have an honest and open system.
Cleary that is not possible in Dominica as was recently demonstrated with a similar case. Dominicans when are we going to wake up! Nothing that is done in this country is normal .What more do you need to see ? How many more must die without explanation? Ask yourselves these questions and decide if you are prepared to remain silent or speak up.
Note that the Minister of Health stated that the mother had complications. This would do it.
If the mother has complications and is ready to give birth, she should not have the baby normally for this could make her worst She should have the baby by caesarian. Doctors and nurses are supposed to know that.
st. Lucia is a real country that”s why they are having a commission of inquiry . All I expect is a talk shop without any substance why? because we do not like to hold the govt. accountable also they are not transparent here in Dominica.
Oh boy 18 babies died in Jamaica one in ST Lucia and one in Dominica and Dominica is the one with the worst health care according to the haters. The haters are trying to destroy our beautiful country but God is in control. My brothers and sisters were all delivered by a village midwife in Grand Bay very few children was born in hospital
What a shame….you are the first person I’m learning from about the health care system in Dominica. It looks like you want to say something but don’t know how to come about saying it. Just spill out the beans…saqwey twet
Don’t you think there is a hint of hate in your tone. Watch your tone before you start pointing fingers.
EH for a second i thought it was Dominica then saw St.Lucia, that i saying too, since when officials paying for doing wrongly
If we had a mature democracy, the similar event in Dominica would have been different, it took a concerned father with no resources to question why and how his daughter died with a baby that could have been c section more than a month before she died. No statement, no inquiry, no action by the state, only a quick autopsy despite an injunction, a risk to perform a quick autopsy, while their are many bodies at the hidpitsk who have yet to be cut. We chastised the lawyer and the father while played our political games, in any country the state would lead an honest investigation to ensure that no other mother shall suffer such indignity, nor shall the public be put at risk!
So it is not about a death but the issuing of a statement on an enquiry,what pettiness and childishness.Grow up Diminicans,these things happen all over.
What things, precisely? Gross mismanagement and lack of accountability? I suppose with attitudes like yours PMH is the best thing ever and we should not demand better?!
Oh boy.but de st lucia govt. Is not like our own nuh. Now for now they izsue a statement.
Had there been a statement (asap), that still would not have satisfied you.
I could happened anywhere not in DA only. MY SYMPATHY to the family
The St. Lucian government may have heard what occurred in Dominica and thought they better conduct an investigation. Dominicans are still awaiting the results of the autopsy..