Rédaction Africa Links 24 with New Dawn
Published on 2024-03-26 01:45:00
The James N. Davis, Jr. Memorial Hospital in Neezoe community, Paynesville, is currently facing significant backlash and pressure due to the death of a pregnant woman who visited the hospital to give birth. The family of the deceased has blamed the hospital for negligence, citing wrongful medication and poor attention as the cause of her tragic death.
The victim, identified as 36-year-old Arthani Garmai Bernard, passed away along with her unborn baby when her pregnancy water bag burst while she was in labor at the hospital. She was a resident of Redlight, Paynesville, and had been admitted to the James N. Davis, Jr. Memorial Hospital for delivery.
According to the deceased’s Sister-In-Law, Weedor Aku Bernard, the late Mrs. Arthani Garmai Bernard had no prior medical complications when she went in for her routine pregnancy check-up on Thursday, 21st March 2024. However, due to alleged carelessness by the doctor on duty and the mistaken administration of the wrong medication by the nurses, she tragically passed away while in the process of giving birth.
The incident has shed light on the risks faced by patients in healthcare facilities across Liberia, with a particular focus on the James N. Davis, Jr. Memorial Hospital. Formerly operated by Medicines Sans Frontieres (MSF) and now under the management of the Government of Liberia, the hospital has faced previous incidents of maternal mortality, including the death of a pregnant woman in 2021.
The death certificate issued by the hospital, signed by Clinician Stennett Flemming, failed to establish a clear cause of death, prompting the family of the deceased to question the quality of care provided by the hospital staff. Hospital Administration, represented by Mr. Meshach G. Karmo, clarified that the Head Doctor was not present during the incident, leading to a rushed issuance of the death certificate without a definitive cause of death.
Mr. Karmo affirmed that the Ministry of Health, overseeing the hospital’s operations, is in communication with the deceased’s family to address their concerns and discuss the circumstances surrounding the tragic event. The investigation into the matter is ongoing, with the hospital administration cooperating with the relevant authorities.
In conclusion, the death of the pregnant woman at the James N. Davis, Jr. Memorial Hospital has raised serious questions about the quality of healthcare services provided to patients in Liberia. The need for accountability and transparency in medical facilities is paramount to prevent similar incidents in the future and ensure the safety and well-being of all patients.
Read the original article on The Newdawn Liberia
