(Trinidad Express) Five doctors and four nurses were on Monday suspended from the San Fernando General Hospital following a preliminary investigation into the death of Chrystal Boodoo-Ramsoomair.
Boodoo-Ramsoomair, 29, a mother of three, died hours after giving birth to a baby girl by Caesarean section at the San Fernando General Hospital two Fridays ago.
At a press conference at the ministry’s head office in Port of Spain on Monday, Health Minister Therese Baptiste-Cornelis said the suspensions will allow authorities to remove those involved in the case, as well as guarantee an unbiased investigation so that full disciplinary action can take place if necessary once it is completed. The investigation, she added, which is being conducted by an independent panel, will take place over two weeks and should not be “deemed to be a stain on the reputations of anyone”.
At Boodoo-Ramsoomair’s funeral last Saturday, Legal Affairs Minister Prakash Ramadhar said Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar had called for measures to be put in place to ensure there is no repeat of the incident.
At the press conference, Baptiste-Cornelis said the suspension was in keeping with the Prime Minister’s call.
“The difference between this death and the death of other nationals is that the autopsy revealed certain information … and in order to facilitate the investigation, the South West Regional Health Authority’s board has advised the minister, and the Ministry of Health, that all members involved in this particular case will be sent on two weeks suspension of duties with basic pay,” she said.
The decision to suspend the medical workers, which she admitted was a first for the ministry, was made by SWRHA’s chief executive officer Paula Chester Cumberbatch.
“It should be noted that the suspension was not seen directly as a penalty, but it more represents the fact that we must ensure public confidence is rekindled in our system and we have promised transparency and accountability to all our nationals,” she said.
