Mother Mourns Loss of Newborn at Bess Hospital Amid Allegations of Neglect

March 20 2024 – A mother’s joy turned into heartbreak after her newborn tragically passed away at Bess Hospital West Coast Demerara, leaving her devastated and searching for answers.

Coreen Calvan, who had a healthy pregnancy and followed all medical advice, was admitted to the hospital in anticipation of delivering her child. However, from the very start of her labour journey, she encountered what she described as coldness and rudeness from hospital staff. She repeatedly asked questions about her condition but was met with little to no response.

On the first day of her hospital stay, she was informed that she needed a C-section. After fasting and preparing for the procedure, she was suddenly told that the surgery would not happen as planned.

On the second day, she felt unwell—experiencing cold sweats and noticing that her baby was hardly moving.

She reported her discomfort to the nurses, but she was dismissed and ignored. Their lack of empathy left her feeling too scared to speak up further, even as she sensed something was wrong.

She noticed that the nurses kept checking her heart rate, but when she repeatedly asked if everything was okay, she received no answers.

An ultrasound had previously indicated that her baby was too large for a natural delivery, adding to her growing concern.

On the third day, she finally underwent her C-section and heard her baby cry—a fleeting moment of relief before her worst fears became reality.

She was never given her child after the procedure. When she desperately asked about her baby’s condition, she was eventually told that the newborn had ingested a significant amount of fecal matter, and doctors were unable to remove it from the baby’s system.

Her world shattered when medical staff informed her that her child would not survive. She was taken to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where she watched her baby take her last breaths.

Calvan expressed frustration and pain over the way she was treated throughout her stay, describing the nurses, doctors, and even cleaning staff as hostile and unkind.

She had traveled from the interior to seek better medical care, closing her business in the hopes of delivering her baby safely. Now, she is left grieving, pleading for any assistance to help her return home and rebuild her life after this unimaginable loss.

The hospital, through the Regional Health Officer (RHO), has yet to respond to the allegations made by Calvan to BIG Smith News Watch. Despite acknowledging our request for a comment, no official statement has been provided.