The Management of the University Hospital of the West Indies, the UHWI, is this afternoon silent on information reaching us that there’s a deadly mystery bug suspected to be the cause of death of a number of babies at the teaching hospital.
Nationwide News understands that several new born babies have died in the past few days due to what’s being referred to by some hospital personnel as a mystery bug affecting the nursery at the hospital at Mona, St. Andrew.
Head of the South East Regional Health Authority, Dr. Andre Cooke, says his officers are investigating the matter.
Two babies reportedly died suddenly this week at UWI due to what’s being called the mystery bug.
A pediatrician told Nationwide News this afternoon that she’s aware of at least two other new born babies who died suddenly last week.
Medical personnel say the bug has resulted in some infected babies who are battling for life being quarantined in a make shift area at the UHWI.
Some babies are also reportedly being treated in the neo-natal intensive care unit.
Several of the medical personnel aware of the developments are not prepared to risk speaking on the record.
They say they’ve been asked to remain silent.
A senior medical doctor, who didn’t want to be identified, told our news center today that the University Hospital is aware of the matter and is only admitting very sick babies who need ventilators.
The hospital neo-natal unit is reportedly in emergency mode.
At approximately 1:00 this afternoon, Dr. Andre Cooke, told our news center that he’s not aware of the matter.
But Dr. Cooke did checks and two hours later said a team has been dispatched to the UHWI.
A senior medical doctor told our news center that the minor operating theatre at the hospital was also recently condemned and shut down by the authorities recently due to unsanitary conditions.
Contacted this afternoon, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Kevin Harvey, declined to comment.
10 calls placed to Health Minister, Dr. Fenton Ferguson were not answered.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Marion Bullock Duccasse did not answer 15 calls placed by Nationwide News to her mobile phone.
UHWI CEO, Dr. Cecil White, did not answer or return more than 25 calls placed to his mobile phone. Message sent to Doctors Bullock-Ducasse and White were also not answered.
A senior member of the management of the UHWI told our news center at 10:00 this morning that a formal statement would soon be issued.
Up news time no statement had been made public.
Six weeks now this is going on at UHWI. No warning for unsuspecting moms. A baby died as recently as yesterday and not a word from Fenton Ferguson or the other people who are supposed to be protecting our children. I bet you if it was an anti Lisa Hanna march you would hear from Lisa and Ronnie, but poor people dead babies, not a word.
I am not really surprised though, elections are in the air, so everybody helping to sweep any negative publicity for the Government under the rug. I want the Opposition and Marlene Malahoo Forte to come out and demand answers. This is pure slackness. In any self respecting country, the hospital administrators, inspectors from the Ministry of Health and couple politicians would have to resign.
So true