More parents have come forward claiming medical negligence after their premature babies died at the neonatal intensive care unit of the Port of Spain General Hospital (PoSGH), attorneys representing the families of these infants have alleged.

On Tuesday, another pre-action protocol letter was sent to the CEO of the North West Regional Health Authority which manages the PoSGH on behalf of another baby – Roxanne Ariah Fayloa Joy Richards – who died on December 24, 2023

“The death of this baby brings the number of babies who died at the PoSGH to 16,” the pre-action letter from attorney Sue-Ann Deosaran of Freedom Law chambers said.

The letter also said a baby who died on Monday had not been included as instructions were still being taken from the parents.

A table of the 16 babies, their parents and date of death was provided. On Monday, the head of the NICU of the PoSGH, Dr Marlon Timothy confirmed the baby girl’s death in a television news report but emphasised that it was not linked to the seven deaths caused by a bacterial outbreak at the unit between April 4 and 9.

Tuesday’s letter expressed concern over the two ongoing investigations by the NWRHA and the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO). It also alleged attempts to railroad the two investigations.

“Why on earth would the NWRHA be investigating its own misconduct and medical negligence?.. “the letter questioned. It also raised as an additional concern the possible tampering or removal of evidence while it noted an alleged attempt to remove old equipment in the blood group area.

“All of a sudden, staff was instructed to put ‘Do not use out of order’ signs on a whole range of old equipment that was suddenly removed from on top of the counter in the lab and placed beneath it.”

It further alleged blood was being stored in an old refrigerator which, the letter said, had the potential to compromise the quality of blood leading to infection. Photos of the alleged "old" equipment were attached to the pre-action letter which further alleged attempts to possibly withhold "evidence" from the PAHO tream.

The letter also took issue with a statement by Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh that there was no room on the NWRHA’s committee for an expert representing the parents.

Seven babies died at the NICU between April 4 and 9 from a bacterial infection. Blake on Monday said the babies who died earlier were not connected to the April cluster.

Much of the latest pre-action letter spoke of the protocols and procedures for blood transfusions as it called for a “thorough investigation into the management practices and decisions made within the (haematology) laboratory.”

The letter also warned that the parents were “neither prepared to shut up nor have the deaths of their babies simply be swept under the carpet of political oblivion.”

It also said many nurses and doctors were “appalled and shocked” by what had happened. The letter asked for a written public commitment to pay for any staff member who wanted to give evidence to the independent PAHO