the Ministry of Health asserted that emergency personnel had moved promptly and utilised all means to treat the young woman.

Niles’ family is alleging medical negligence, claiming that the hospital staff failed to act swiftly or appropriately during her emergency. They also claimed that Niles died as a result of a malfunctioning oxygen tank and slow response by medical staff. Niles, who was a known asthma patient and a frequent visitor to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), died last Friday morning after being rushed to the Diamond hospital by her family.

However, in a statement issued last Sunday, the health ministry presented a very different version of events. According to the ministry, Niles arrived at the Accident and Emergency Unit at approximately 11:50 hours with severe respiratory distress. “While being triaged, she became unresponsive. Emergency medical personnel immediately initiated resuscitative measures, including cardiac monitoring, oxygen therapy using bag-valve-mask ventilation, and the establishment of intravenous access,” the ministry said.

The ministry further added that when Niles arrived at the hospital, she was in a severe condition. “Her oxygen saturation on room air was severely low at 32 per cent (normal levels are typically above 95 per cent). She was also significantly impaired in consciousness, registering a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 6 out of 15, indicating a severe neurological compromise,” the statement read.

The medical team, according to the ministry, had exercised sufficient efforts. However, Niles’ condition further declined. “Despite the team’s efforts, the patient experienced cardiac arrest during treatment,” the ministry said. The ministry explained the medical procedure conducted by the medical team. “She was successfully intubated, and her condition was stabilised to the extent possible. Given the severity of her clinical state, arrangements were made for urgent transfer to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for continued intensive care. Her vital signs were closely monitored throughout, and GPHC was promptly informed to ensure readiness for her arrival.” (Kaieteur News)