Baby ‘uplifted’ from NA Hospital was taken into protective custody – RHO – INews Guyana

Regional Health Officer (RHO) for Region Six (East Berbice -Corentyne) Dr Vineshri Khirodhar says the newborn who was reportedly removed from the New Amsterdam Hospital without the family’s knowledge, was taken into protective custody.

INews had reported on the case of 20-year-old Keshma Jagdeo of Miss Phoebe, Port Mourant, who claimed that her baby was taken from the New Amsterdam Hospital without the family being properly informed. Jagdeo said she delivered the child at home on October 23, after being told at the Port Mourant Hospital that her pregnancy would not reach full term until November. Following the home delivery, she was taken to New Amsterdam Hospital, treated, and discharged, but the newborn remained at the institution.

Her mother later alleged that the baby “went missing” after they were told he was no longer at the New Amsterdam Hospital.

Addressing the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) on Thursday, Dr Khirodhar rejected suggestions that hospital officials acted improperly. She explained that the mother did not deliver at any health facility despite advice from medical staff.

“The mother took it upon herself to deliver herself at her home, severing the child’s umbilical cord by herself under insanitary conditions, taking a grave risk against the nurse and doctor’s advice,” she said.

Dr Khirodhar further disclosed that the woman has several children and that the family had previous interactions with welfare authorities, prompting doctors to involve the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA).

“This mother also had several other kids that the welfare would have investigated, and the decision was taken by the doctors to call in the welfare officers,” she stated.

According to the RHO, while the mother was discharged because she was stable, the child was kept for observation and subsequently placed into protective care based on welfare officers’ recommendations, not by unilateral hospital action.

“The RHO does not have a say in what welfare officers decide. Our job is to keep the child, treat the child, manage the child, and make sure the child is held,” she clarified.

Dr Khirodhar assured councillors and the public that once the welfare process is completed, the family will be officially updated.

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