Latest update June 17th, 2026 12:40 AM
Were lessons not learnt after 31 years?
Dear Editor,
Please allow me to extend my condolences to the family and friends of the unfortunate mother who died at the GPHC from complications of placenta accreta. I know all too well of the pains of a child loosing their mother at a young age, since I lost my mother when I was eight years old, from complications of ectopic pregnancy.
Having said that, I am somewhat taken aback by the comments made by the Honourable Minister of Public Health Dr. Norton. I will quote the Minister’s statement verbatim; “My advice is rather than stopping at three, I would say two. Even though Science may say that you have no evidence to make such statements, with our situation in Guyana, I would advise mothers not to have more than two caesarean sections,” Please permit me to ask the Honourable Minister of health a few questions.
Dr. Norton are you placing this unfortunate mother at fault for her death since she had three Caesarean sections and not your recommended two?
Dr. Norton is it not true that good prenatal care could have prevented this unfortunate death?
Dr. Norton is it not true that previous Caesarean section is not the only risk factor for placenta accreta? So even by only having your prescriptive two Caesarean sections many mothers may still have placenta accreta and face an almost certain death at GPHC?
I would conclude by saying that this mother unfortunately bled to death at GPHC. My mother similarly bled to death 31 years ago at this same institution. Were lessons not learnt after 31 years?
One positive stemming from my mother’s death was my desire to become a doctor. Sadly, that was the only positive.
Dr. Mark Devonish
MBBS MSc MRCP (UK)
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