Although over $1.3 million was spent on the probe into the death of baby Simeon Cottle, who died when his head was sliced open during a cesarean section at the Mt. Hope Maternity Hospital one year ago, his mother Quelly Ann Cottle is yet to receive any counselling or compensation for her loss.
Even to this day, she feels a sense of trauma at the sight of a baby and has not been able to keep a job, due to the emotional trauma of her loss.
Last month, it was revealed that the probe into baby Simeon’s death cost Government over $1 million.
The probe was paid for by the Office of the Attorney General and a list of detailed fees was released to the Parliament.
The details of fees paid for the probe included $1 million paid to retired Appeal Court judge Mustapha Ibrahim.
Ibrahim received four payments of $250,000 each on May 8, 2014; May 12, 2014; June 23, 2014; and June 24, 2014.
Another member of the inquiry into Simeon’s death, neonatologist Petronella Manning-Alleyne received four payments for her role in the inquiry, totalling $380,000.
Attorney Debra Coryat received $61,618.96 for the inquiry as well.
Dr Melanie Clare Davies, a UK gynaecologist, was not listed as having received payment.
As a result of the probe a file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Upon completion of the probe, former attorney general Anand Ramlogan told journalists the report veered clearly towards “negligence” on the part of the doctors and institution that managed baby Simeon.
Cottle, who said she was still hurt by the situation, said the only thing she has received so far was a TT Food Card, adding that the hospital paid for her son’s funeral.
“Look how much money these people in the probe got and they didn’t lose their child. Poor people never get anything,” Cottle said.
“If I need help, I go through the motions like everybody else. It’s hard for me. I cannot work. Every time I see someone with their baby I get emotional.”
Cottle said she got a job but had to leave the job because of several emotional breakdowns.
“I am suffering and I am being told to hold on. It is disappointing but I am so fed up. I think I scream and shout enough over the madness that happened.
“I remember the Prime Minister said anything that happened to children she would stand up for. Something happened to my child. Where is she now? Her words are like the wind.”
Doctor still suspended
Director of Health at the North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA), Rodney Ramroop, yesterday said the doctor who performed the surgery was still suspended.
“He isn’t back to work. He is suspended indefinitely pending the outcome of the investigation by the DPP’s office or the Medical Board,” Ramroop said.
Describing the situation as traumatic, he said it was taking a long time to achieve a resolution, but added that up to a few weeks ago police had interviewed doctors and health staff at the hospital in relation to the matter.
Fuad: No report yet
Health Minister Fuad Khan said he had not yet received a report from the Medical Board of T&T regarding the doctor involved in Cottle’s surgery.
Khan, who also received a list of recommendations from the probe, said the recommendations had all been implemented before.
“They were very simple, there was nothing major to implement and most of those recommendations were already in place.”