Premature baby dies at GPHC

A premature baby born on March 03, died days later at the Georgetown Public Hospital while receiving critical care.

According to a release from the hospital, the baby’s mother, Shaliyah Darlington, had a high-risk pregnancy. She first received care at a private facility but was later referred to the GPHC just one day before delivering the baby prematurely.

Based on reports, Darlington’s mother, Sabrina Crawford, raised concerns about the treatment the baby received since it was believed that the premature baby was recovering well.

The hospital, however, sought to provide clarity on the situation.

It said any patient being managed in an intensive care unit, as the baby was because of the premature birth, is considered critical until they have been discharged into a step-down unit.

“In this case, Ms. Darlington’s baby was being managed in the Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU), as premature babies are at great risk due to the inability of their organs to function the way they should.

“The capable and competent Neonatal Team at the GPHC is always committed to keeping babies alive – unfortunately, sometimes babies succumb to illness,” the release further noted.

The GPHC also advised patients and relatives to use the resources at the hospital “as a first resort” for getting information or making complaints, so that “appropriate and timely recourse” can be taken.