Laboratory testing is ongoing to determine the source of a bacterial outbreak at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Port of Spain General Hospital which resulted in the deaths of seven babies between April 4th and 7th.

“Laboratory testing has revealed the presence of three different organisms known to pose significant risks to vulnerable neo-nates,” Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh confirmed as he delivered a Cabinet-approved statement in the House of Representatives this afternoon.

The Minister said he has also requested that the Caribbean Industrial Research Institute, CARIRI, and the Pan American Health Organization, PAHO, be engaged as the North West Regional Authority continues investigations. 

Apart from the NWRHA’s probe, the Ministry of Health has launched its own investigation into the incident, through the Office of the Chief Medical Officer.

“I wish to advise this honourable House that as of April 7th, no new infections have been reported and I am advised have resumed as of Wednesday 10th, April. Throughout this challenging situation, senior doctors and nurses were present, providing care to the neo-nates and parents were regularly updated on their babies’ conditions. We recognize the emotional toll this has taken on the families and all parents have been offered bereavement counselling by the NWRHA,” Deyalsingh said.

The Opposition has, meanwhile, implied that the Health Minister ought to tender his resignation over the deaths. The question of resignation was raised earlier in the sitting by Opposition MP, Dr. Roodal Moonilal, during the urgent questions segment.