An eighth potential family is set to be added to class action lawsuit against over the deaths of their babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital (POSGH).
The legal team led by Anand Ramlogan, SC, of Freedom Law Chambers, gave the update in correspondence yesterday to attorney Alana Bissessar, of Pollonais, Blanc, de la Bastide and Jacelon, which was retained to represent the North West Regional Health Authority (NWRHA) in the matter.
In the letter, attorney Sue-Ann Deosaran provided details about Nandaranie Nathoo, whose son Jayden Pierre died at the hospital on March 16, a few weeks before the seven babies died over a four-day period.
Deosaran said Nathoo initially believed her baby’s death was not questionable based on claims by doctors but came forward after recent reports on the seven latest cases.
“Only upon Nandaranie hearing the news about other women facing similar tragedies as her, she has now grown concerned regarding the circumstances surrounding her baby’s death,” Deosaran said.
According to Deosaran, Pierre was born prematurely via caesarean section at the Sangre Grande Hospital on February 22 and was transferred to the PoSGH NICU.
She claimed doctors did not indicate any issues with the baby besides his premature birth until March 4, when Nathoo and the child’s father, Allister Pierre, were reportedly told the child had a bacterial infection in his blood and was being treated with antibiotics while laboratory testing was pending.
The couple was allegedly given positive updates regarding his condition before they were told the infection was still growing and a blood transfusion was needed on March 13.
“This was concerning to Jayden’s parents, and upon asking what the bacteria was, one of the doctors informed them that they were still running tests to figure it out, but once again reassured them that this was normal for premature babies,” Deosaran said.
Deosaran said the blood transfusion was performed on March 15. She claimed although the parents were told their baby’s condition was improving, the following day they were informed his condition was deteriorating. She claimed the parents were only allowed to see him but not hold him.
“Jayden appeared swollen and bruised, with discolouration on his hands, feet, face, and forehead. Seeing him in such a state, Jayden’s parents struggled to recognise their own child,” she said.
Deosaran claimed that he died several hours later, leaving the couple devastated and distraught, as Nathoo previously had a miscarriage.
“It was their first child, and they spared no effort in readying themselves for his homecoming: from purchasing clothes and a crib, to preparing his nursery by renovating an entire room in their home, every detail was meticulously planned,” she said.
Separate letters are now expected to be sent on behalf of the remaining families, who will have to file separate cases before a judge decides whether they can be joined for the proposed class action lawsuit
Addressing the conduct of the NWRHA, she suggested that the parents were all lied to about their babies’ conditions.
“The PoSGH tried to cover up the scale and magnitude of this unprecedented disaster that claimed the lives of seven innocent babies by treating each patient as though it was an isolated incident,” Deosaran said.