Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – The nation’s Ministry of Public Health has issued its latest weekly epidemiological bulletin confirming that all locally endemic communicable diseases remain contained across the country, with sustained low transmission rates and ongoing proactive public health surveillance.
分类： health
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New dialysis unit opens at St Jude Hospital
A state-of-the-art 14-station dialysis unit has officially opened at the upgraded St Jude Hospital in Augier, Saint Lucia, marking a major step forward in expanding access to critical, life-saving renal care for patients across the island — especially for those residing in the country’s southern region. The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition reports that the renovated facility delivers a far more modern, comfortable treatment environment for people relying on regular dialysis, and stands as the latest milestone in the government’s ongoing push to strengthen the nation’s public healthcare ecosystem. The new unit replaces dialysis services that were previously temporarily hosted at George Odlum Stadium, and health officials prioritized eliminating any gaps in care for vulnerable patients throughout the entire relocation process. Jenny Daniel, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, explained that the ministry arranged for continued treatment at partner medical facilities across the island while the transition to the new Augier location was completed. “The Ministry of Health fully understands the urgent nature of dialysis care for these patients,” Daniel noted. “When a patient needs dialysis, they cannot wait — a lack of required treatment can quickly become fatal.” To support uninterrupted care, the ministry pre-allocated the necessary funding and put operational protocols in place long before the move began, to guarantee no patient would be left without their scheduled treatment. Daniel emphasized that the seamless transition to the new facility was the result of months of coordinated planning between government technical teams and Renal Dynamics, a specialized partner that supported upgrades to ensure all dialysis equipment, water purification systems and electrical infrastructure met strict national medical standards. “Relocating the entire dialysis service from the stadium to our new Augier home was not a last-minute, overnight project,” Daniel explained. “Today’s successful launch is the product of extensive foundational work to make sure every unit, every water system, every electrical network was properly installed and tested before opening. That preparation is what made this transition a success.” Minister for Health, Wellness and Nutrition Moses Jn Baptiste marked the official commissioning of the facility, highlighting that it will address a long-unmet need for accessible renal care in southern Saint Lucia. “Many residents in the south of our island require regular dialysis treatment,” the minister noted. “This improved department will bring services far closer to home for these individuals, cutting down on travel time and transportation costs while making consistent care far easier to access.” The Ministry of Health added that the opening of the new dialysis unit is part of the government’s broader national strategy to upgrade healthcare delivery and modernize public health infrastructure, as the phased rehabilitation and reopening of St Jude Hospital continues. The project aligns with long-term commitments to expand access to high-quality primary and specialized care for all Saint Lucians, regardless of their location on the island.
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Antigua: Woman warns revellers after one-night Carnival encounter left her pregnant, HIV positive
As Antigua’s annual Carnival prepares to welcome throngs of revelers this year, a local woman has stepped forward with a deeply personal, harrowing story to warn partygoers about the irreversible risks of unprotected casual sex during the festive season.
Her ordeal began on Carnival Monday, when she crossed paths with a man while participating in the annual mass parade. The pair bonded quickly, swept up in the infectious energy of Carnival celebrations. The man told her he was an Antiguan who resided in Florida, and after a night of drinking and dancing, the two agreed to spend the night together.
Before this fateful encounter, the woman had not been sexually active for nearly a year. Just prior to the meeting, she had completed a full routine medical check-up and insurance-mandated physical examination, which included an HIV test — all results came back clear. After the Carnival ended, the man returned to Florida, and the woman’s life slowly returned to its normal rhythm until several months later, when she made an unexpected discovery: she was four months pregnant.
Living with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the woman had long accepted that she would likely never conceive, so the pregnancy news initially filled her with overwhelming joy. She had experienced none of the common early pregnancy symptoms such as morning sickness, which was why her pregnancy went undetected for so long.
But her happiness was cut devastatingly short. Routine prenatal blood work delivered a life-shattering result: she had contracted HIV from the one-night encounter. Shocked but honest, she reached out to the man to share both her pregnancy and HIV diagnosis. Far from showing surprise or remorse, he simply said he would call her back — and never contacted her again.
In the months that followed, the woman entered one of the darkest chapters of her life. She battled severe depression and described herself as completely broken by the betrayal and diagnosis. The only thing that kept her fighting through that period was the unborn child she carried.
Today, the woman has a message of caution rooted in hard-won experience: she says she is endlessly grateful that her daughter was born HIV negative, and calls the little girl her reason for surviving her lowest moments, when she doubted she would be able to go on living.
Now, as Carnival season kicks off across Antigua and Barbuda, she has chosen to share her story publicly to prevent others from suffering the same fate. She urges all revelers not to allow the excitement of Carnival, the influence of alcohol, or the thrill of a new connection to cloud their critical judgment.
“Protect yourself. Make informed decisions. Know who you are with, and never assume someone is safe just because they say so and seem trustworthy,” she emphasized. “One night can change the entire course of your life. I cannot undo what happened to me, but if my story leads even one person to make a safer choice this Carnival season, sharing it will have been worth every bit of vulnerability.”
Her story has spread widely across social media, drawing an outpouring of support and reflection from online users. One commenter wrote, “It takes extraordinary courage to share this story. I am so sorry this happened to you, but by speaking out, if even one person avoids this same tragedy, you have done something truly remarkable. Stay strong, and thank you for sharing.”
Another commenter echoed the warning, noting, “This story perfectly illustrates how a single unprotected encounter during Carnival can lead to life-altering consequences: an unexpected HIV diagnosis, an unplanned pregnancy, and a lifetime of changed health outcomes. When alcohol lowers inhibitions, people often throw caution to the wind, and the critical importance of barrier protection and checking a partner’s sexual health status gets pushed aside. This happens every year, and far too many people learn this lesson the hard way.”
Public health officials and commentators have echoed the woman’s warning, reminding sexually active people that regular testing and open, honest conversations with partners about sexual health status remain the most effective ways to protect both themselves and their partners. As thousands gather to celebrate Carnival this season, the message is clear: keep celebrations fun, but never let excitement override safety.
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Community Consultation on Proposed Conaree Health Centre
Residents of six local communities in St. Kitts have received a formal invitation to participate in an upcoming public consultation focused on the planned development of the Conaree Health Centre and the long-term trajectory of local public healthcare services. The consultation, which is open to all members of the general public, specifically targets residents from the nearby villages of Conaree, Half Moon Bay, Canada, Keys, Needsmust and Kitstoddart’s, who will be directly affected by the new healthcare facility.
Scheduled to kick off at 6:30 p.m. local time on Thursday, 6th August, the community gathering will be hosted at the Conaree Community Centre, a central and accessible venue for local residents. Top government and health officials are set to attend the event to answer questions, collect public feedback, and share detailed updates on the proposal. Among the key attendees are the Honourable Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, the national Minister of Health, and Dr. Terrance Drew, who serves as both the Parliamentary Representative for Constituency 8 and a lead stakeholder for the project.
This consultation marks a key step in the planning process for the new health centre, designed to expand access to primary care services for thousands of local residents. Local officials have emphasized that public input will play a critical role in shaping the facility’s design, service offerings, and timeline for development, encouraging all affected residents to attend and share their perspectives on local healthcare needs.
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Come back home to T&T
Trinidad and Tobago is grappling with a persistent national shortage of nursing professionals, driven largely by mass outmigration of qualified workers to nations with far more competitive compensation and benefit packages, the country’s Health Minister Dr. Lackram Bodoe has confirmed. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday following the official launch handover ceremony for the inaugural Nursing Assistant Programme at the Port of Spain campus of the College of Science, Technology, and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT), Bodoe framed the crisis as part of a larger global trend, while outlining the government’s multi-pronged strategy to rebuild and strengthen the domestic healthcare workforce.
Bodoe emphasized that expanding the local care pipeline requires investment across all tiers of the nursing profession, not just increasing the number of registered nurses. “When we talk about building a robust nursing workforce, we cannot overlook the critical role that nursing assistants play in supporting frontline care delivery,” he told reporters. Under the new COSTAATT programme, the first cohort of 200 aspiring nursing assistants is scheduled to begin training in September, with a second intake of 200 additional candidates planned for January 2024. “This is a meaningful step forward, and the Ministry of Health remains committed to exploring every possible avenue to recruit and retain skilled nursing professionals across the country,” he added.
The minister openly acknowledged that retaining experienced nurses remains one of the sector’s most pressing challenges, as thousands of trained professionals have relocated abroad in search of better career and financial opportunities. “Many of our nurses have left our shores to seek greener pastures, and the core of the issue is that destination countries are able to offer far more attractive compensation packages than we can currently provide,” Bodoe explained. “Our goal right now is to create incentives that will encourage these skilled professionals to return home and serve the people of Trinidad and Tobago.” To advance this goal, the national Cabinet has already given formal approval to a new diaspora engagement programme designed to facilitate the return of expatriate healthcare workers to the country’s public health system.
When asked about ongoing negotiations to raise nursing salaries to stem the outmigration wave, Bodoe confirmed that active discussions are already underway. “As Health Minister, I have collected detailed data from regional health authorities (RHAs) across the country, and those materials have been passed to the Minister of Finance to guide negotiations with collective bargaining bodies,” he said.
Beyond the nursing shortage, Bodoe also addressed growing public complaints about access to critical medications under the country’s Chronic Disease Assistance Programme (CDAP), noting that he has ordered full reports from all regional health authorities to get a clear picture of the scope of the issue. Preliminary investigations indicate that most reported drug shortages stem from distribution gaps rather than a systemic national lack of medication, according to the minister. “Even if a medication is out of stock at one local health centre, it is almost always available at another facility within the same region,” Bodoe said. “We have issued new instructions requiring pharmacists to first check stock at nearby facilities and connect patients to available medication before turning anyone away.”
Bodoe added that broader systemic issues, including understaffing from the nursing shortage and global post-pandemic supply chain disruptions, have contributed to access gaps, and his team is working at speed to resolve these bottlenecks. “We are actively addressing every layer of these supply and distribution issues to ensure all Trinbagonians can access the chronic care medications they need,” he said.
The minister also responded to public concerns about long wait times and limited access to laboratory testing at public health facilities, confirming he has requested full reports from regional health authorities to assess the scale of the problem. He noted that while many routine tests are available at local health centers, specialized testing is often routed to the country’s major public hospitals, where services are already available for referred patients.
Finally, Bodoe provided an update on the long-awaited opening of the new Central Block at the Port of Spain General Hospital. While the facility was officially handed over from the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT) to the Ministry of Health on July 14, no firm opening date has been set. Work is still ongoing to commission all medical equipment, train clinical and administrative staff, and complete mandatory safety and operational inspections. “We will not set an opening date just to satisfy public demand,” Bodoe said. “Our top priority is ensuring that when the first patient walks through the doors, the facility is completely safe, fully operational, and ready to deliver high-quality care that the public deserves.”
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CEO Greaves acknowledges OKEU Hospital challenges, outlines plan to address concerns
In his first public briefing since taking the top leadership role at Millennium Heights Medical Complex (MHMC) last November 2024, Chief Executive Officer Damian Greaves has laid out a comprehensive set of targeted reforms to resolve long-running operational hurdles and lift service standards across the public healthcare network, with a particular focus on the flagship Owen King EU (OKEU) Hospital.
Addressing widespread public criticism that has tarnished the institution’s reputation, Greaves acknowledged the mounting pressures facing the public hospital while emphasizing that the leadership team is already moving forward with corrective action. “Our public hospital is under pressure, but it is not standing still,” he told assembled reporters Wednesday.
Greaves outlined a range of structural challenges dragging down performance: skyrocketing patient demand for core services, a sharp increase in people living with chronic long-term conditions that require extended, resource-intensive care, and persistent supply-side constraints including bed shortages, inconsistent access to critical medicines and supplies, and outdated internal work processes. These cumulative issues have fueled negative public perception that the new leadership is prioritizing fixing.
The reform agenda is built around four core strategic priorities, starting with streamlining patient flow through the facility. Greaves pointed to long-standing bottlenecks that leave patients waiting for admission when inpatient beds are at full capacity, prompting a full institutional review of bed management protocols, admission and discharge procedures, and cross-departmental communication to cut wait times and improve access.
Second, MHMC will overhaul its revenue management and collection frameworks. A key part of this work will be upgrading outdated billing and collection systems to boost operational efficiency and ensure consistent revenue streams to support patient care.
Third, the institution will accelerate its transition away from paper-based record-keeping to integrated digital systems. Greaves noted that far too many clinical and administrative tasks still rely on handwritten notes and manual processing, creating unnecessary delays across all departments. The rollout of new digital tools will streamline everything from billing and financial tracking to clinical data collection, enabling more data-driven, timely decision-making across the organization.
The fourth and final core priority is investing in the professional development of MHMC’s workforce. Greaves said the complex is partnering with local, regional, and international healthcare bodies to expand access to targeted training and growth opportunities for all staff. Training will cover high-priority areas including advanced clinical skills, leadership development, customer service, information technology literacy, and other core competencies required for modern healthcare delivery.
Responding directly to viral social media reports alleging poor patient treatment by some MHMC staff members, Greaves confirmed that customer service excellence is the top priority of the new workforce development program. He noted that while the hospital regularly receives positive feedback from patients that rarely gains public attention, the leadership takes all complaints seriously and is implementing new protocols to de-escalate conflicts between patients and staff and address incidents of aggression toward employees. All security personnel and frontline clinical staff will receive specialized de-escalation training to prevent conflicts from escalating and create a safer environment for both patients and workers.
Greaves stressed that turning around the institution and repairing public trust will not happen overnight, noting that every root cause of negative public perception is being reviewed and addressed as part of the long-term transformation. Looking ahead, MHMC is already developing its 2026–2031 strategic plan, which will set out a clear long-term roadmap for sustained improvement and growth across all of the complex’s healthcare facilities.
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Grenada launches 988 crisis hotline
On Tuesday, July 28, the Caribbean tri-island nation of Grenada marked a critical milestone in public mental health infrastructure with the official launch of a 988 toll-free suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline, designed to deliver immediate, accessible support to residents grappling with suicidal ideation, severe emotional distress, and other acute mental health emergencies.
The launch ceremony, hosted at Grenada’s Radisson Beach Resort, brought together a broad cross-section of stakeholders, including senior government officials, frontline mental health care providers, educators, secondary school students, parent representatives, and leaders from faith-based community organizations, underscoring the widespread consensus that suicide prevention is a collective national priority.
Speaking at the event, Hon. Delma Thomas, Minister for Mental Health, Wellness, and Religious Affairs, emphasized that life-saving support is now just three dialed digits away for those in need. She urged members of the public to reach out for help without fear of judgment or stigma, reinforcing that seeking support during a crisis is not a sign of weakness but a courageous step toward healing.
To address common public questions about the new service, ministry officials outlined clear operational details at the launch. All incoming calls are answered by rigorously trained responders who follow evidence-based, standardized crisis intervention protocols. These protocols are designed to de-escalate high-stress situations, deliver empathetic emotional support, and uphold strict standards of caller privacy.
Recognizing that taking the first step to reach out during a mental health crisis can feel daunting, Director of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Josh Hector extended a message of hope to hesitant residents. “We encourage people to choose life,” he said. “Even if you feel there is nobody in your life who will listen, someone will be waiting on the other end of that hotline to hear your story, offer non-judgmental support, and give you the assurance you need.”
Hector confirmed that all hotline personnel are bound by strict confidentiality requirements that they are required to uphold in every interaction, eliminating concerns about private information being shared without consent. The service also accepts calls from third parties: friends or family members who are concerned about a loved one’s mental health can reach out either by dialing 988 or contacting the team via dedicated WhatsApp numbers shared by the ministry.
Far from being a standalone service, the 988 hotline functions as a critical entry point to Grenada’s entire network of mental health and social support services. Depending on the unique needs of each caller, responders can connect individuals to ongoing counseling, psychiatric care at the island’s General Hospital, or specialized support for overlapping crises including domestic violence and other social emergencies.
Permanent Secretary Naomi Jeremiah confirmed that the hotline initiative is funded through the Ministry of Mental Health, Wellness and Religious Affairs’ annual budget, with additional critical support from community volunteers and international public health partners, most notably the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
The launch event included powerful personal testimony to illustrate the life-changing impact of accessible crisis support. Pastor Anton Strachan shared a pre-recorded video account of his own experience surviving suicidal thoughts as a teenager, using his story to encourage others experiencing similar struggles to reach out for help instead of suffering in silence. Students from two local secondary schools, Presentation Brothers’ College and Grenada Boys’ Secondary School, also took part in the ceremony, performing original mental health awareness jingles that centered themes of hope, resilience, and the importance of open conversation about emotional challenges.
Government and health officials acknowledged that a single hotline cannot solve the full scope of Grenada’s mental health challenges, but framed the launch of 988 as a transformative, long-overdue step toward expanding equitable access to life-saving crisis support across the country. In the coming weeks, a nationwide public awareness campaign will roll out across the tri-island state, including televised infomercials and educational broadcasts, to ensure all residents understand how the service works and when to reach out.
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Health Ministry promotes 100% smoke-free environments to curb tobacco use
In the Dominican Republic’s capital of Santo Domingo, public health authorities are ramping up coordinated efforts with regional and global health bodies to cement policies that guarantee fully smoke-free public spaces and cut population exposure to harmful emissions from both traditional tobacco products and modern electronic cigarettes. This initiative draws on technical guidance and support from the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) to turn policy goals into on-the-ground action.
A core component of this collaboration is a targeted technical assistance mission held between July 27 and 30, which brings PAHO/WHO experts directly to the country to support the rollout of protective measures. These measures are designed to uphold the fundamental public right to clean, breathable air and extend the reach of smoke-free zones across every region of the Dominican Republic.
To center youth engagement in the fight against tobacco harm, the Dominican Ministry of Public Health organized a high-profile national forum titled “No Filter: Youth, Tobacco and Reality”. The event created a collaborative space for youth advocacy organizations, domestic public agencies, and international public health partners to come together. Attendees discussed the well-documented health dangers linked to tobacco, nicotine, and vaping products, with the explicit goal of boosting public awareness and empowering young people to lead grassroots prevention efforts in their communities.
Speaking at the forum, Dominican Health Minister Víctor Atallah stressed that young people deserve a central, leading role in shaping the country’s public health policies. He also issued a stark warning: even as overwhelming scientific evidence mounts about the severe health harms of tobacco and new nicotine-based products, industry actors continue to target adolescents with aggressive, widespread marketing campaigns.
Public health officials have clarified the full scope of the 100% smoke-free policy: the rule applies to all enclosed public spaces, spanning primary and secondary schools, universities, medical and healthcare facilities, private and government offices, general workplaces, and all forms of public transportation. Crucially, officials emphasized that common workarounds such as segregated designated smoking areas or upgraded ventilation systems do not eliminate the health risks posed by secondhand tobacco smoke or electronic cigarette emissions, as residual toxins still circulate through shared air spaces.
The Ministry of Public Health points to peer-reviewed international evidence from across Latin America to back the policy. Data shows that after implementing comprehensive smoke-free laws, nations including Guatemala, Chile, and Uruguay have recorded measurable drops in heart attack cases, cardiovascular disease mortality, and youth tobacco uptake. Importantly, the research also confirms that these strict policies have little to no negative economic impact on the tourism and hospitality sectors, countering a common industry argument against smoke-free regulations.
Current local public health data puts the adult smoking rate in the Dominican Republic at roughly 10%. Among adolescents aged 13 to 15, an estimated 6 to 8% use either traditional tobacco cigarettes or electronic vaping products. On a global scale, the statistics underscore the urgency of this work: tobacco use is responsible for more than 8 million preventable deaths every year, with roughly 1.3 million of those deaths occurring among non-smokers exposed to harmful secondhand smoke.
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PHA buys Harborside clinic for $29m to expand capacity
In a landmark public-private collaboration aimed at transforming healthcare access in The Bahamas, the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) has completed a $29 million purchase of Doctors Hospital’s Harborside medical facility, marking a key milestone in the government’s national healthcare redevelopment strategy.
The deal adds 46 private inpatient beds to the country’s public healthcare system, and the multi-purpose site is designed to deliver a wide range of critical services, including urgent care, advanced diagnostic testing, full-service laboratory work, emergency dialysis, rehabilitation therapy, on-site pharmacy services, and clinical training for future healthcare professionals. A core goal of the acquisition is to ease overwhelming pressure on the emergency department of Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH), the nation’s main public tertiary care facility, by diverting non-life-threatening urgent care patients to the new site.
Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Michael Darville told reporters following the official handover that the facility will begin operations as a dedicated urgent care center in the short term, with full integration into the PHA system scheduled after major renovations and the installation of new diagnostic and laboratory infrastructure. The initial upgrade work to ready the site for urgent care services carries an estimated price tag of $215,000, and the government has already awarded a contract for all necessary renovations to Inline Project Company. Construction work is on track to kick off as early as next week, according to official timelines.
“We purchased this property from Doctors Hospital for approximately $29 million,” Darville confirmed. “We signed the contract with Inline Project Company today. Renovations and upgrades to a portion of the facility will align it with the long-term vision laid out by the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the Public Hospitals Authority.”
Once fully operational, the site will not only expand service access for residents but also create new training opportunities for nurses, physicians, and allied healthcare workers across The Bahamas, addressing a critical gap in clinical professional development.
PMH Managing Director Aubynette Rolle emphasized that diverting urgent care patients away from PMH’s overstretched emergency department will allow the hospital’s care teams to treat patients with life-threatening conditions more efficiently and reduce wait times for all patients. She framed the acquisition as clear evidence of the national government’s commitment to upgrading public healthcare infrastructure and ensuring all facilities can deliver safe, high-quality patient care. The official handover ceremony to transfer ownership of the facility from Doctors Hospital to PHA was held on Wednesday.
Darville noted that the Harborside purchase is one component of a broader government initiative to redevelop the national healthcare system, which includes plans to build new hospitals and community clinics, as well as upgrade aging infrastructure at existing public facilities. The new site will directly help address long-standing operational challenges at PMH, he added, while serving as a model for how strategic public-private partnerships can rapidly expand national healthcare capacity.
Charles Diggis, chief executive officer of Doctors Hospital, noted that the transfer extends a decades-long collaborative relationship between the private hospital network and the Bahamian government. Discussions around the Harborside property first began more than 10 years ago, and Doctors Hospital purchased the site in 2017 with the goal of expanding regional healthcare access. Transferring ownership to PHA, Diggis explained, reflects the private hospital’s long-standing commitment to working alongside government to expand affordable, accessible healthcare for all Bahamian residents.
Diggis reaffirmed Doctors Hospital’s commitment to supporting future healthcare development and innovation across the country, emphasizing that coordinated public-private cooperation is an essential tool for improving health outcomes and service access for the Bahamian public. A full opening for all services at the redeveloped Harborside facility is expected once all renovations and upgrades are finalized.
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PHA chief: ‘we will learn from tragedy’
A high-profile medical negligence case in the Bahamas has concluded without further legal challenge, after the nation’s Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) announced it would not appeal a Supreme Court ruling that found a public hospital’s 27-minute gap in foetal monitoring directly caused the death of a newborn baby in 2022.
In his findings, Acting Justice Raynard Rigby, KC, determined that staff at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) and lead consultant obstetrician Dr Agatha Foulkes-Mackey failed to uphold the required standard of care when treating expectant mother Widline Guillaume. While awaiting an emergency caesarean section in a corridor outside the operating room between 4:10 a.m. and 4:37 a.m., Guillaume’s unborn daughter, who had already been diagnosed with foetal distress, was left completely unmonitored. Justice Rigby confirmed that the 27-minute lapse in monitoring cut off the baby’s oxygen supply, leading to fatal brain injury. The newborn, named Elizabeth Lundy, died just two hours after her birth on August 2, 2022.
The judge rejected the defense’s core argument that Elizabeth’s death was caused by an undiagnosed congenital heart condition, instead siding with expert testimony that attributed the death to perinatal asphyxia resulting from oxygen deprivation. He also clarified that there was no unreasonable delay in the decision to perform an emergency caesarean or in executing the procedure once approved. The negligence, he ruled, stemmed entirely from the gap in monitoring while Guillaume waited for the results of a mandatory pre-surgery COVID-19 test. No medical staff could provide evidence of the unborn baby’s condition during that 27-minute waiting period, despite clear clinical guidelines requiring continuous monitoring after foetal distress is detected.
In addition to the finding of negligence, Justice Rigby levied sharp criticism at multiple procedural failures during the defense’s case. He highlighted the absence of medical records detailing Elizabeth’s care immediately after birth, the decision not to conduct a post-mortem autopsy to clarify the cause of death, and the failure to call multiple key medical witnesses to testify. He also noted that PMH never produced its official COVID-19 testing protocols during the trial, even though the testing requirement was the direct reason for Guillaume’s pre-surgery wait. The judge ordered that final compensation damages for Guillaume be assessed by the Supreme Court Registrar, and ruled that the PHA must cover Guillaume’s legal fees if the two sides cannot reach a mutual agreement on total damages.
In the days following the ruling, PHA Managing Director Aubynette Rolle, herself an attorney, confirmed the authority would not challenge either the court’s finding of negligence or the eventual damage award. Rolle explained that the PHA had no interest in extending the legal process or forcing Guillaume’s family to relive the trauma of losing their child, a statement echoed by Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville, who extended formal condolences to the family on behalf of the government and public health system.
Both Rolle and Darville emphasized that the case will serve as a critical turning point to improve care standards across the nation’s public hospital system. Rolle said the PHA will use the ruling to review and strengthen adherence to existing clinical policies and procedures, identify gaps where standards need to be raised, and expand targeted training for medical staff to prevent similar tragedies. Darville noted that medical malpractice incidents occur in hospitals across every country, and each case offers a key opportunity for systemic learning. He added that the PHA had already begun implementing service delivery improvements across all antenatal care and hospital-wide services well before the case concluded, with a focus on full transparency when adverse events occur. “We need to make sure things like this do not happen at our hospitals,” Darville said, “And once they do happen, for us to be completely transparent in the process.”