Well being officers say prematurity is the first trigger behind the latest deaths of a minimum of 24 newborns at Victoria Jubilee Hospital (VJH), Jamaica’s largest maternity facility, for the reason that begin of June.
In an announcement issued Thursday, the South East Regional Well being Authority (SERHA) acknowledged heightened public concern and confirmed it had launched an investigation into the spike in neonatal fatalities. Preliminary knowledge revealed that many of the affected infants have been born prematurely, with underlying circumstances that considerably elevated their threat of great sickness.
The hospital’s surge plan was activated to handle the inflow of critically sick newborns, and SERHA says all steps have been taken to look after the sufferers.
Crucially, the authority confirmed that there is no such thing as a proof of an infectious outbreak on the hospital—an early concern that arose when stories of the deaths started circulating earlier this week.
“There was a rise in admissions to the Particular Care Nursery in June in comparison with earlier months and final yr,” SERHA famous. “With this enhance got here an increase in untimely and low start weight infants, which provides to the vulnerability.”
The regional authority, in collaboration with the Kingston & St Andrew Well being Division and the Ministry of Well being & Wellness, will proceed its public well being investigation. Officers say the ultimate report might be launched to the general public as soon as accomplished.
SERHA additionally outlined a number of measures already in place on the hospital to assist handle threat, together with an infection prevention protocols, extra employees assist, and capability evaluations within the neonatal unit.
“We provide our honest condolences to the households affected by these tragic losses,” the assertion learn. “We stay dedicated to the very best requirements of care and security throughout our services.”
The deaths, first reported earlier this week, reignited public debate round maternal and new child well being care in Jamaica, particularly in mild of comparable incidents in recent times. Victoria Jubilee Hospital, which delivers hundreds of infants yearly, has beforehand come below scrutiny for neonatal outcomes and overcrowding.
The investigation continues.
