A young mother passed away after giving birth to a stillborn child at New Amsterdam Hospital at the weekend.
On December 6, 24-year-old Toshana Wilson was admitted to the hospital for observation after her blood sugar levels were found to be dangerously low during tests linked to her diabetes.
Toshana’s mother, Melena Wilson, says that her daughter, who had been attending a high-risk clinic for her condition, was administered six units of insulin on the Saturday prior.
Toshana had reportedly voiced concerns, feeling that the dose was inadequate compared to the amount she normally took at home.
Melena also claimed that Toshana’s blood sugar levels were not monitored by the hospital staff. In response, family members brought Toshana’s personal blood glucose meter to the hospital, revealing a dangerously high reading of over 600 millimoles per litre.
Despite this, Toshana was given a smaller insulin dose than what she would typically require. Early on Sunday morning, she was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU).
At around 6:00 hrs, Melena visited the hospital for an update, only to be informed by medical staff of the devastating news that her unborn child had died.
By the afternoon, however, hospital staff reportedly reassured her that Toshana’s blood sugar levels had returned to normal. Later that evening, at approximately 19:00 hrs, Melena was unable to reach her daughter by phone and requested that Toshana’s father visit her before his shift.
Melena stayed at the hospital overnight, and just after midnight, she was informed of her daughter’s tragic passing.
The family now believes that negligence and potential malpractice may have played a role in Toshana’s death.
Dr Vineshri Khirodhar, the Regional Health Director, has confirmed that an investigation into the incident is currently underway.
