Double tragedy probed

By Deidre Fanene 03 February 2017, 12:00AM

The Police has launched an investigation into a double tragedy where a mother and her unborn baby died at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital.

The investigation was confirmed by the Police spokesperson Su’a Muliaga Tiumalu during a press conference yesterday.

 “The matter was reported to the Police by the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital on the 29th of January,” he said.

“It involves a 36-year-old mother from one of the villages in the urban area.

“The report says that the mother was pregnant and she was admitted to the Maternity ward to give birth.

“However she died before she could give birth.”

Su’a said the investigation is looking at questions surrounding the way the mother died and whether she could have been saved.

 “According to the hospital reports, there were nine doctors who were there at the time,” he said.

“But no one could identify the cause of death. Both the mother and her unborn child died.”

Su’a declined to speculate on suggestions that perhaps an operation could have been done earlier to save both lives.

 “I don’t know what kind of doctors were there but all I know is that the report says there were nine doctors who were present at the time.

“We don’t want to say anything until the investigation is complete.”

In a separate matter, the Police are also investigating the death of a two-day-old baby.

 “The mother gave birth on the 21st of January however, two days later her newborn baby died,” said Su’a.

“The police are investigating the matter. The mother hails from one of the villages in the urban area and Savai’i.”

By Deidre Fanene 03 February 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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