GPHC Head promises ‘appropriate action’ after probe into maternal deaths

Internal investigations into two recent maternal deaths at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) were launched this week and the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer Robbie Rambarran promises that appropriate action will be taken when those are completed.

Rambarran, in an invited comment, said that the investigating team was awaiting the results of additional tests and at least one autopsy report.

Once all the reports are gathered, the team will be able to probe the care administered to both pregnant women. That probe will determine if there were resource constraints, negligence or other reasons for their deaths.

“(With) the investigations and findings, appropriate action will be taken,” Rambarran emphasised.

He also stressed that the GPHC is not treating the deaths lightly.

“No death is acceptable, whether it is the patients’ fault or negligence,” the CEO said.

A 40-year-old woman and a 19-year-old woman pregnant with twins succumbed while receiving treatment at the weekend, according to two separate releases from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Both women, the Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony said previously, experienced complications during their pregnancy. The 40-year-old died while receiving treatment at the National Infectious Diseases hospital at Liliendaal, Georgetown. The 19-year-old woman died at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Commenting on the two maternal deaths recorded at the weekend, the Health Minister said that two investigations were ordered. An internal investigation, conducted by the Georgetown hospital, already commenced; another investigation by the ministry’s maternal mortality committee is expected sometime this week.

The Health Minister said recommendations from both completed investigations will be used to further improve healthcare provided to expecting mothers.

Because those women experienced complications, Rambarran urged that all pregnant women seek antenatal care. Antenatal or prenatal care involves consistent checkups during pregnancy.