Independent autopsy inconclusive on death of 6-Y-0 cancer victim

A second Post-Mortem Examination (PME) was done Monday on the body of 6-year-old cancer victim, Sharezer Mendonca, days after her body was mixed up with another child at the Georgetown Public Hospital mortuary.

The PME was done by Dr Nancy Sitchoa in the presence of the Mendonca’s family, the Independent Pathologist from Trinidad and Tobago and Government Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh.

Sharezer’s aunt, Azeena Bakraj told News Room Monday that the results were inconclusive and Dr Sitchoa and the Independent Pathologist have both taken samples for further testing.

Sharezer is the third child who died on Thursday last after she was given an injection before her chemotherapy treatment for Leukemia – a form of cancer – at the Georgetown Hospital.

The hospital has since launched an investigation into these deaths.

The Mendonca family was dealt a double blow when the public health institution mixed up her body with that of another child and performed an unauthorized autopsy on Friday last.

The initial autopsy was supposed to be performed on 6-year-old Delicia Wailoo of Bartica, who suffered from a heart condition for some two years but instead, it was done on Sharezer, hours after the hospital was informed by lawyers representing the Mendoncas that the family is awaiting the arrival of an independent pathologist from to witness the autopsy Monday.

The hospital agreed to the family’s request but then the mix up of the bodies took place and the hospital claimed that it was Delicia’s family who identified Sharezer as theirs.

But Delicia’s mother, Donna Atkinson, disputed the hospital’s claims.

Atkinson told News Room Monday that she identified her child by a mark on the side of her mouth but is baffled that the post mortem was done on Sharezer instead.

Attorneys Ganesh Hira and Chandrapratesh Satram, who represent the interests of the Mendoncas, believe that the hospital is trying to cover-up its negligence.

The lawyers have taken on the case as a pro-bono.

Additionally, Azeena clarified that a group of concerned Guyanese pooled their monies to pay for the services of the overseas Pathologist.