Almost two weeks after an 18-year-old mother of two died of injuries she sustained during a botched abortion, relatives are calling on the doctor involved to come forward and a probe has been launched by the Ministry of Health.
Karen Badal, of Lot 2 North Vigilance, East Coast Demerara (ECD), who was four months pregnant, died as a result of a perforated uterus and acute peritonitis on December 31. This was the finding of Pathologist Dr Vivikanand Bridgemohan who performed the post-mortem examination at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH).
Minister of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsaran, yesterday told Stabroek News that an investigation, led by Chief Medical Officer within the ministry, Dr Shamdeo Persaud, has since been launched.
The minister emphasized that they are working in accordance with the laws of Guyana as regards illegal abortions.
The father of the dead woman’s two children, Vishal Surujpaul, told this newspaper that the family hopes the doctor comes forward and, sympathizes with them and maybe offers some assistance for the upkeep of the dead woman’s 2-year-old and 4-month-old sons.
“She left two small children so maybe he can do something for them because he can’t do nothing more… she done dead and gone,” the young man said, adding that he understands that the doctor did not intend for such a tragic outcome.
Meanwhile, the young father said he and his mother are trying their best to care for the two children. “Me and meh mommy trying with the children… we took them to the clinic and checking them up and so,” he noted.
Surujpaul said while the older boy has always been attached to his grandmother, the younger one is visibly grieving for his mother. “You can see it on his face that he miss something but he got a lot of people to hoist him and play with him and so to help him cope,” the father said. “They are both small and maybe will grow up without even remembering their mother,” he added.
Surujpaul further stated that he is waiting on the Georgetown Public Hospital and the police to conclude their investigation before further action is taken. However, this is dependent on the doctor and when he is located, he stated.
“The police say they have to find him first for questioning and we can’t do anything until then,” Surujpaul said.
