‘Declared dead, found alive, then died’ – New Amsterdam Hospital rocked by shocking premature baby tragedy

Jan 21, 2026 News

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(Kaieteur News) – What should have been one of the happiest moments in a young woman’s life ended in horror last week, after her premature baby was declared dead at the New Amsterdam Hospital, handed to relatives for burial, discovered alive, rushed back to the hospital and later died.

The woman, whose name is not yet known, is also questioning why her child was not assessed promptly, and why the umbilical cord and placenta were still attached after delivery. She alleges that her baby was not cleaned, resuscitated and given medical attention.  She has therefore cast blame on the institution.

In a detailed account on the Team Mohamed’s Facebook page, the woman shared a horrifying story of the physical agony and mental distress she endured at approximately 18:00 hrs on the evening of January 14.

The distraught woman related that her mother took her to the Port Mourant Hospital that evening after she had complained of having “severe back contractions accompanied by light vaginal spotting.”

While there, she received injection to ease her pain, with an ultrasound and blood tests arranged for the next day by the doctor. Her gestation at that time was just over six months. She noted a softness to her cervix, and was told by the doctor that she should visit the New Amsterdam Hospital if additional symptoms manifested.

She eventually visited the New Amsterdam Hospital after she observed bleeding while using the bathroom at home.

The woman, who was experiencing her first pregnancy, arrived at the facility where she was guided to the labor room, having displayed signs of labor. However, upon review of clinic her card, and having informed her that her pregnancy was only six months and a few days, she was told that she must visit the emergency department before accessing additional care.

“Despite being in severe pain, I was required to go outside to register, a process that took a considerable amount of time,” she detailed on Team Mohamed’s page.

One Dr. Herman, she said, examined her, and announced that her unborn baby’s chance of survival was 50/50 as it was pre term.

Subsequent to an ultrasound, she was told that treatment would be given to stop the contractions.

On that same evening, she was admitted to Ward Three, and was frequently urinating. She said her pains increased early the next day. She relayed that she was given two Panadol tablets which did not help. She was attended by a patient care assistant.

“The pain became unbearable. I collapsed to the floor and began screaming in pain. A senior nurse (“sister”) later entered the ward and administered an intravenous injection for pain. She informed me that I was in labor, stating that “this is how it is.” No doctor or midwife was present at this time.”

Recalling the ordeal, she spoke of having a bedpan which she was told to strain over, which, after the clotted blood exits, the pain will subside. Not long after, the pain would further increase, while she felt her lower body becoming heavy.

“I felt something descending in my vagina. I pressed my body into the bed, raised my feet, applied pressure to my pelvis, and pushed. I felt a strong force, and a completely developed baby was delivered,” she shared.

A doctor who entered the ward after the delivery pressed her abdomen and instructed her to cough to deliver the placenta and examined her for any tears. She disclosed that shockingly, her baby, with the placenta still attached, was placed into the bedpan. Doctors customarily performed head-to-toe checks on newborns. This was not done, she said, to confirm signs of life.

“I recall one nurse stating that “he just breathed.” The umbilical cord wasn’t detached, and the baby was taken to the front of the ward.”

She was given the option of her family collecting the baby, or allow the hospital to discard it.

“I informed the staff that my family would collect the baby. I contacted my family and explained the situation. The baby was placed in a box with the placenta still attached and handed over to my relatives.

My family took the baby to Corentyne. At approximately 10:00 hrs, while preparing to bury the baby, they discovered that the baby was still alive. The baby was immediately rushed back to the hospital, where he was admitted to the NICU and oxygen was administered in the presence of my family.”

While her family visited, they were told that the baby was gasped nearly every 20 minutes. She was unaware of all this, while she remained a patient there.

Just after 08:00 AM on Friday, she said a doctor came to her and told her baby had died.

The woman is questioning the absence of a doctor or midwife during delivery, and Dr. Herman’s apparent attempt to “protect himself,” by writing a report on Thursday morning and asked her family to sign it. Moreover, if indeed the child died at birth, as claimed by the hospital, she questioned why the baby was later placed on oxygen, and why it was stated that the baby was gasping after being returned alive.

“I am a first-time mother. After the baby was removed in the bedpan, I fell asleep due to extreme weakness. I believed my baby had already died, which is why I responded as I did when asked about arrangements. This experience has left me deeply traumatised and fearful, not only for my own life but for the lives of other mothers and babies who may face similar treatment. I am seeking answers, accountability, and justice for my son,” the woman expressed.

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• negligence, New Amsterdam Hospital, premature baby, tragedy

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