Death of Charity mother, newborn under probe

The authorities are investigating the death of a 34-year-old Charity, Essequibo Coast mother and her newborn at the Suddie Hospital.

Reports are that Charity, Back Street resident, Carol Godett gave birth to a baby girl at the hospital on October 21st last after being admitted to the hospital several days earlier. The child died several days later and the mother of four girls died on Thursday of last week.

Carol Godett

Attempts by this newspaper yesterday to obtain a comment from the Health Ministry proved futile.

According to a relative, Godett appeared healthy but soon after giving birth he noted that she complained of feeling “too much pain” after the baby was delivered.

He noted that the woman had suffered complications before while giving birth to her other children but according to him, he was told by a staffer at the hospital that the woman was not given the requisite “care and treatment” after giving birth two weeks ago.

A post-mortem examination which was performed over the weekend indicated that she died of Puerperal Septicaemia, an infection after childbirth as a result of poor midwifery techniques.

An infection can occur through injuries to the birth canal leading to septicaemia and often to death within three weeks of childbirth.

Godett and the child were buried yesterday at Charity and a relative noted that the family plans to pursue the matter in its entirety in order to determine who should bear responsibility for the woman’s death.

There has been a rise in maternal deaths in recent years, with figures for 2010 indicating a significant increase.