A 19-year-old patient who died at Lima Regional Hospital last week did not succumb due to a lack of oxygen, Regional Health Officer Dr. Ranjeev Singh said on Tuesday, dismissing reports that the facility faced resource shortages.
Singh said oxygen was available and administered during the emergency. The patient, who had a history of Sickle Cell Disease and was recently suspected of having another acute illness, was transferred in critical condition from the Oscar Joseph District Hospital on August 23.
The patient was admitted at 21:25 hrs with fever, nosebleeds and jaundice and later developed acute respiratory distress. Despite receiving oxygen therapy, CPR, defibrillation and emergency medication, he was pronounced dead at 22:52 hrs.
“The outcome was due to the patient’s advanced and chronic illness rather than any absence of oxygen or resources,” Singh said.
The patient’s mother, Yolande Benn, also confirmed publicly that her son’s death was unrelated to an oxygen shortage.
Singh urged the public not to be misled by inaccurate reports, saying they fuel unnecessary fear. He said the Ministry of Health remained committed to transparency and strengthening healthcare services in Region Two and nationwide.
