By Vakeesha John
On April 18, 2021, a video of a woman bloodied by the birth of her baby on a bench outside a maternity ward in St. Vincent and Grenadines began circulating online. In this video, the voice of a man, who identified himself as the father of the new-born baby, was heard complaining and expressing his frustration with the medical services given to his partner. Most would agree that it took guts for anyone to look at this video in its entirety, as it was so disheartening and painful for anyone, especially women, to watch.
On this same day, the Minister of Health and Wellness, St. Clair Jimmy Prince made an informal statement saying that this matter would be investigated. This statement was issued via a Facebook post on the minister’s personal Facebook page and shared by two other Facebook pages: “Jimmy Prince ULP” — his election campaign page and “SVG Health” — the official Facebook page of the Ministry of Health.
Since then, neither the minister nor his ministry has said anything publicly said about the issue as the investigations are probably still “ongoing”.
This makes it blow number two in this scenario. First, according to the report, the baby fell to the ground during the bench-delivery, resulting in a hit to the baby’s head. This is cruel and reflects a lack of care given to our mothers and babies by the public health sector. This blow could have caused serious health issues for the baby. That is blow number one. If the “duty of care” is so poor during delivery, then what can be expected from public health in caring for the child’s injury, had any been sustained?
Who would have financed the expenses incurred had the child suffered serious injuries? Who would have been held accountable for the neglect of the mother and the careless treatment given to her on that day?
Most of these questions can be answered if a serious, formal statement was made and if a proper investigation is done. However, there is a trend of “life-long investigations” in SVG when it comes to matters like these. It seems no one is held responsible and nothing is ever done to compensate those who suffer in these situations. What makes it worse is the lack of communication by authorities, which clearly highlights that little to no emphasis is placed on addressing health concerns, especially those of women. That is blow number two!
Public health in SVG seems to be a disaster. The cries of many women who have had unfortunate experiences during pregnancies cannot go unheard. There is no doubt that some women have great experiences as there are kind health-care professionals and sometimes, there are resources available. However, too often, there is a lack of resources, terrible attitudes of health-care professionals, strange instructions given to health-care workers and a lack of redress when these brutal “errors” occur.
Child-bearing, in itself, already pains a woman’s body and affects her mind naturally. There is no reason why so many of our women should suffer as a result of the negligence and ill-management of our public health sector, placing additional strain on the woman and her partner. There is no evidence that psychological care has been given to this particular family but one can only hope that the state did not fail to offer psychological assistance to the parents who experienced this situation.
Mothers are waiting on this investigation, Minister Prince. Fathers, too, are waiting on this investigation. In fact, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is eager to hear from the Ministry of Health on this matter. For too long, this treatment has been given to those who entrust their lives with the public health sector. Too many women in this country have become immune to these issues, simply because the authorities do not take us on. However, this is the time that women in SVG will utilise their strength, unity and voices as a vaccine against this “SVGIgnoreWomen” virus.
If the authorities do not take us on, we will take the authorities on and we will speak, publish articles, protest and do what is legally necessary to get the treatment we deserve. No longer will a simple “the matter is being investigated” be accepted. We want to know about the findings. We want to know what is being put in place to deter acts like these. We want to know that we matter. The baby dropped on the ground and hit the bottom so we need the authorities to seriously get to the bottom of this!
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WE WANT TO KNOW. WE WILL PROTEST. WE NEED ANSWERS. WOMEN JOIN IN SOLIDARITY AND FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHTS. CEASE RELAXING. NOW IS THE TIME.
Women put their lives at risk every day to give a man a son or a daughter. Carrying a baby for 9 months is incredibly hard on our bodies. Giving birth is excruciatingly painful and very risky. One or both could die during childbirth. We carry scars and fall into depressive states. Our bodies change drastically. All to ensure that a man’s name will carry on for another generation. So taking care of us throughout pregnancy and childbirth should be a priority for all. Men women, drs, nurses, government. So many women have suffered miscarriages, birthing dead babies, babies born with the cord around their necks, etc. Take care of us if you want civilization to thrive.
Just last night I thought of writing and asking Mr. Chance for an update as to the outcome of that unfortunate situation, how are both the mother and baby doing (especially the child, did he/she suffer any health problems), and most importantly, were the nurses held accountable for their despicable actions. And also importantly, I hope the young lady brought a charge of negligence against the hospital and ALL those nurses involved.
Mr. Chance, can you do a follow up story?
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again.
Get rid of those people replace them with overseas ones. They are uncaring, unfeeling uncompassionate, have no empathy and a lot worse. And it should start at the very top. They have a duty of care to all patients regardless and it clearly is not and has not been demonstrated.
I know what I’m talking about I was an inpatient for two months. Terrible terrible treatment it was a nightmare the whole time.
Good that someone mentioned these things. It is sickening that, not only in SVG but everywhere we see that when something happens to poor people or those of lesser status than others, it is less important than when it occurs to “the chosen”. Just like when 9/11 happened in NY, USA we all remember it, but when powerful militaries bomb countries, overthrow governments and kill thousands, it is not such a big deal and is soon forgotten. If this hospital incident happened to a “big whig” it would really be investigated and there would be repercussions.
Much of the world is under “Covid derangement syndrome” right now, because only 99.8% survive the virus and of those that die, about 80% are over the age of 80. I doubt these nurses were over 80 years old and probably have strong immune systems because they have been exposed to very much from working in a hospital. Nevertheless the COVID INDOCTRINATION PROGRAM IS A GREAT SUCCESS MOST EVERYWHERE, and SVG seems to have many sheep willing to comply with everything the “establishment” tells them, except when it comes to vaccination. I wonder if that will change when the seemingly SAFE VACCINE Sputnik-V arrives???
Very shameful. Before I migrated I worked in that Department. if this had happened in a developed country, her name, pin number, hospital incident happened, date, and what happened would have been on the Nursin Council website. the nurses would have been suspended until the hearing. you will get away with anything here but please don’t try it else where. Go to nmc hearings and see what’s happening.
I was very dismayed when I red the first report relating to this matter. It was also very heartbreaking reading the Hon Jimmy Prince, Minister of health response on this.
In every incident such as this you begin with an apology to the victim and her family. Respect for human dignity is paramount. The Minister missed an opportunity to partially right the wrong that has happened under his watch. These are features of totalitarianism. They are very troubling to say the least.
No one has been disciplined or dismissed for this matter. I hope the victim file a civil suit against the hospital. This is just unacceptable. Where is the accountability?