Guyana gov't denies patient died at hospital due to lack of oxygen

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – The Guyana government Tuesday denied that a 19-year-old patient died at the Lima Regional Hospital as a result of an “absence of oxygen”.

In a statement, the Ministry of Health quoted the management of the hospital as indicating that it is “aware of malicious and misleading reports being circulated regarding the unfortunate passing of a patient on August 23.”

Regional Health Officer (RHO) Dr Ranjeev Singh described the article circulating on social media as “false”, stating categorically that the claims of an “absence of oxygen” and suggestions that the hospital was unprepared as “false, malicious, and without basis in fact.”

According to Singh, the 19-year-old male had a longstanding medical history of Sickle Cell Disease with frequent hospital admissions over the years.

He was also recently suspected of leukaemia and was referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Haematology Clinic, but unfortunately, he did not follow through with this referral.

On August 23, he was transferred from Oscar Joseph District Hospital in Charity, a small township located in the Pomeroon-Supenaam Regio that is part of the Essequibo Region, to the Lima Regional Hospital in critical condition, “presenting with fever, nose bleeds, jaundice, and passing dark brown urine, symptoms consistent with severe complications of his underlying disease.”

Singh said that based on records, shortly after admission, the unnamed patient developed acute respiratory distress and low oxygen saturation. Immediate medical interventions were initiated, including oxygen therapy, CPR, defibrillation, and administration of emergency medications.

“Despite every effort by the attending doctors and nurses, resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead at 22:52 hours,” the ministry said in the statement.

Singh stressed that oxygen was available at the facility, and the medical team responded swiftly and professionally.

“The unfortunate outcome was due to the patient’s advanced, chronic, and critical medical condition, and not because of any negligence or lack of resources at the Lima Regional Hospital.”

Singh is urging members of the public not to be misled by false and sensational reports, which only serve to create panic and undermine confidence in our health system.

“The Ministry of Health remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the continuous strengthening of healthcare delivery across Region Two and Guyana.”

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