Georgetown Hospital probing Haqq maternity death

An investigation has been launched in the circumstances surrounding the death of Aseelah Haqq, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Alero Proctor says.

Aseelah Haqq

Aseelah, 33, of Middle Walk, Buxton, East Coast Demerara was attached to a life machine hours after delivering her child.

Ayesha Haqq said that despite instructions from a doctor that a Caesarean Section should be done on her sister to deliver her baby the woman was forced to endure normal labour.

On Thursday, Ayesha had told this newspaper, her sister was referred to the GPHC by the Beterverwagting Health Centre. Aseelah had been suffering from complications and her pregnancy had gone over 42 weeks. Her sister, Ayesha further informed this newspaper yesterday, was also a diabetic.

At GPH, according to Ayesha, an ultrasound was conducted on her sister and the doctor ordered that a C-section be done since her body would not be able to take the strain of normal labour.

On Saturday, Ayesha alleged, her sister’s water-bag broke and she endured labour pains until yesterday when she was finally taken to the delivery room to give birth as per normal despite the doctor’s orders. Several hours after Aseelah delivered a healthy child, her sister said, her condition deteriorated rapidly.

Aseelah was taken off the life machine yesterday and her body has been moved to a funeral home in the city.

Her sister, Ayesha, has vowed to take action against the hospital staff whose negligence she believes resulted in her sister’s death. The woman has since sought advice from a social worker at the Ministry of Human Services.

Aseelah was the mother four children. The oldest is nine years old. Her newborn remained at GPH under observation up to late last night and relatives have indicated that they will now be responsible for the children’s welfare.