A Moruga mother whose premature twin babies died in January is suing the South West Regional Health Authority for negligence.
Attorneys for Pearly Graham, of Fifth Company, say had their client been given the proper care by doctors and nurses at two health facilities under the SWRHA, the babies would have had a better chance of survival.
In a pre action protocol letter sent last week, attorneys Pavitra Ramharack and Brandon Sirju say they will file a claim for negligence and wrongful death of the babies if the SWRHA does not make a proposal for settling the matter.
“The birth of the babies had been anxiously awaited by our client and her husband who were overjoyed at the thought of having twin boys and all of the joy of raising what was anticipated to be the newest members of their family.
“It should be noted that for too long there have been complaints by members of the public concerning the poor approach to health care in the public health system.
“To have our client suffer through her own public-health care nightmare is troubling to say the least,” Ramharack said.
Graham was 26 weeks pregnant when, on January 21, she began getting contractions. When they began increasing, she went to the Princes Town District Health Facility where she was made to wait before she could be seen. Ramharack alleged Graham was verbally abused by nurses and a doctor at the facility.
“His demeanour was hostile and aggressive as he told our client ‘we don’t have any equipment to deal with your case here!’ Our client attempted to explain that she was carrying twins and she was concerned, the said doctor responded by saying ‘even worse!’” the letter alleged.
Ramharack said Graham and her husband, Jermain, tried to get the doctor to call for the ambulance to take her to the San Fernando General Hospital.
However, she said, the doctor “became even more aggressive and raised his voice towards our client and stated ‘No! How did you get here? Leave just as you got here!’ Mr Graham attempted to speak with the said doctor, however, he refused to listen to Mr Graham and shouted at our client and Mr Graham ‘Get out from here, get out from here’.”
On the brink of tears, Ramharack said a security guard gave the Grahams the number for the ambulance service and after making contact, they were told to start driving and the emergency health services officials would meet them enroute.
The EHS personnel stayed with the couple on the phone.
At the hospital, nurses began monitoring Graham, hearing the heartbeats of the babies and seeing their movement on the monitor.
Graham gave birth minutes apart and each baby was removed from the room immediately, the lawyer said.
“Our client was able to look at them and hear them and was aware that both babies were alive at the time of birth.”
Graham’s ordeal did not end there as the attorney said a doctor spoke with her and told her it “ doesn’t make sense for the hospital to do anything as they will still lose the babies.
“Our client was in a state of confusion, shock and disbelief as
