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Health Minister Orders Investigation After Newborn Baby Suffers Burns at San Fernando Teaching Hospital Health Minister Dr Lackram Bodoe has requested a full investigation into injuries sustained by a newborn baby girl while receiving treatment at the San Fernando Teaching Hospital, following disturbing allegations from her mother about the circumstances surrounding the incident. According to a report by Guardian Media, the baby was born at the Point Fortin Hospital on 9 October 2026 and transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the San Fernando Teaching Hospital on 11 October for treatment of pneumonia. However, just one day after the transfer, the child's mother reportedly received a telephone call informing her that her daughter's hands had been injured. The mother claimed hospital personnel were unable to explain how the injuries occurred. On 13 October, doctors reportedly described the injuries as first-degree burns and indicated that they should heal within approximately two weeks. But the situation became increasingly concerning. When the mother was allowed to examine her daughter's hands on 19 October, she reportedly noticed that their condition had deteriorated. Doctors subsequently advised that surgery might be necessary to save the baby's hands. During a meeting with medical personnel on 22 October, the mother said she received a different explanation. She was reportedly informed that the injuries were not burns but were instead caused by a Staphylococcus infection. Medical personnel then advised that surgery was no longer necessary and that the baby's hands could be treated with dressings at home. The child was discharged that same day. However, two days later, the mother reportedly noticed that her daughter's middle finger had become swollen and purple while changing the dressing. She immediately returned to the hospital, where the baby was readmitted for further medical attention. Following several examinations and a specialist assessment on 3 November, the mother said she was informed that the affected middle finger could not be saved and would require amputation. The mother has expressed frustration over what she described as conflicting medical explanations and her inability to obtain clear answers about how her newborn daughter's injuries developed. She is now demanding accountability and a thorough investigation. Responding to questions from Guardian Media, Health Minister Dr Lackram Bodoe confirmed that he had requested a full report on the incident. Meanwhile, South-West Regional Health Authority CEO Dr Shevanand Gopeesingh denied that the authority was responsible for injuries allegedly sustained during the child's hospitalisation. He maintained that the hospital's incubators had been tested and were functioning properly. According to Gopeesingh, the newborn had arrived from Point Fortin Hospital suffering from a severe, life-threatening infection that had spread through the bloodstream to an extremity. He said the underlying infection was successfully treated and the child's life was saved. The authority also indicated that counselling had been offered to the mother. The case has raised serious questions about communication between medical personnel and parents, the documentation of complications and the importance of establishing precisely what happened during the baby's treatment. While the mother initially reported being told that her daughter's injuries were burns, the hospital authority disputes responsibility and attributes the complications to a serious infection. The findings of the investigation will therefore be critical in determining the circumstances surrounding the injuries and whether appropriate medical procedures were followed.
Health Minister Orders Investigation After Newborn Baby Suffers Burns at San Fernando Teaching Hospital
Health Minister Dr Lackram Bodoe has requested a full investigation into injuries sustained by a newborn baby girl while receiving treatment at the San Fernando Teaching Hospital, following disturbing allegations from her mother about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to a report by Guardian Media, the baby was born at the Point Fortin Hospital on 9 October 2026 and transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the San Fernando Teaching Hospital on 11 October for treatment of pneumonia.
However, just one day after the transfer, the child's mother reportedly received a telephone call informing her that her daughter's hands had been injured.
The mother claimed hospital personnel were unable to explain how the injuries occurred.
On 13 October, doctors reportedly described the injuries as first-degree burns and indicated that they should heal within approximately two weeks.
But the situation became increasingly concerning.
When the mother was allowed to examine her daughter's hands on 19 October, she reportedly noticed that their condition had deteriorated.
Doctors subsequently advised that surgery might be necessary to save the baby's hands.
During a meeting with medical personnel on 22 October, the mother said she received a different explanation. She was reportedly informed that the injuries were not burns but were instead caused by a Staphylococcus infection.
Medical personnel then advised that surgery was no longer necessary and that the baby's hands could be treated with dressings at home.
The child was discharged that same day.
However, two days later, the mother reportedly noticed that her daughter's middle finger had become swollen and purple while changing the dressing.
She immediately returned to the hospital, where the baby was readmitted for further medical attention.
Following several examinations and a specialist assessment on 3 November, the mother said she was informed that the affected middle finger could not be saved and would require amputation.
The mother has expressed frustration over what she described as conflicting medical explanations and her inability to obtain clear answers about how her newborn daughter's injuries developed.
She is now demanding accountability and a thorough investigation.
Responding to questions from Guardian Media, Health Minister Dr Lackram Bodoe confirmed that he had requested a full report on the incident.
Meanwhile, South-West Regional Health Authority CEO Dr Shevanand Gopeesingh denied that the authority was responsible for injuries allegedly sustained during the child's hospitalisation.
He maintained that the hospital's incubators had been tested and were functioning properly.
According to Gopeesingh, the newborn had arrived from Point Fortin Hospital suffering from a severe, life-threatening infection that had spread through the bloodstream to an extremity.
He said the underlying infection was successfully treated and the child's life was saved.
The authority also indicated that counselling had been offered to the mother.
The case has raised serious questions about communication between medical personnel and parents, the documentation of complications and the importance of establishing precisely what happened during the baby's treatment.
While the mother initially reported being told that her daughter's injuries were burns, the hospital authority disputes responsibility and attributes the complications to a serious infection.
The findings of the investigation will therefore be critical in determining the circumstances surrounding the injuries and whether appropriate medical procedures were followed.
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