Minister Usamate Clarifies Baby Deaths
Minister for Health Jone Usamate clarified the outcome of investigations into the death of the new-born baby of Pritika and Jasveer Lal at the Lautoka Hospital on Sunday November 30, 2014.
“At the outset, the loss of any child is something that none of us wants to see. It is unfortunate that this has happened and in the Ministry this is something that we are looking at,” Mr Usamate said.
An investigation has been conducted by people who are professionals in this area and the investigation found that the baby passed away because of “prolonged hypoxia caused by severe shoulder dystocia”.
Minister Usamate said: “Part of the anti-natal history of the mother in question was missed and that in case diabetes screening test was not done and this is an area now that we are looking into improving within the ministry.
“During these investigations, the Ministry has also identified a few areas, which need to be improved upon to ensure these problems are minimised in the future.”
Meanwhile, Mr Usamate said relevant authorities were currently working to sort out the power supply issue in the Vunidawa mortuary. Opposition member Ratu Viliame Kiliraki asked why the mortuary had not been operational for the past two years till to date.
“I visited the mortuary last Saturday and it is working well,” Mr Usamate said.
