John Briceño Condemns Paltry Settlement from K.H.M.H.

John Briceño

Earlier this week, five mothers of babies who died in the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in May 2013 received settlement from that institution. Investigations by the Pan American Health Organization have indicated that the infant deaths were the result of bacteria in the neo-natal unit, allegedly the end result of the hospital’s lack of adherence to sanitation protocols. That settlement was brokered through mediation ordered by the courts. News Five has been able to confirm that the K.H.M.H. has until September thirtieth to make payment of ten thousand dollars to each of the five mothers. There is also confirmation that the hospital will have to make a formal and public apology for the deaths of the infants. Where legal recourse is concerned, the matter is settled. But it still made for fiery debate in the House today, when the member for Orange Walk Central brought up the topic on adjournment.

John Briceño, Area Representative, Orange Walk Central

“One year afterwards, Mister Speaker, the hospital refused deliver the medical reports. One year later, the hospital refused to offer a settlement for these mothers. One year later, the hospital refused to offer a formal apology to these grieving mothers, Mister Speaker. Ad because the time was coming up because they had to go to court, of the thirteen mothers, five brave mothers decided that they were going to fight it to the bitter end. They needed answers and they decided to take out a lawsuit against the K.H.M.H.  Incredibly, you would have thought that at that time, the hospital or its management would have decided to sit down with these mothers and try to work out some sort of settlement amongst themselves. But no, the management decided that they were going to fight these five mothers that decided to go to court. And it is only after that the court decided that there was to be mediation between the C.E.O. from the K.H.M.H., Mister Longsworth; it was only at the mediation that the C.E.O. decided to make an offer—an offer of a measly ten thousand dollars for each mother, Mister Speaker. Mothers that have been grieving; that have been suffering; that have been wondering why this happened, why is it to them; why is it that the K.H.M.H., which is supposed to be the premiere hospital in this country has let them down.”

Pablo Marin

Pablo Marin, Area Representative, Corozal Bay

“There is no cover-up. As soon as we found that this inter-bacterial was there, we called PAHO to come and do all the investigation. And we are working there and I will invite you and your friend from Orange Walk to go at K.H.M.H. and see all the renovations that we have done for the neonatal unit. So that we can show you and the nation the extent of which we love this country that we are doing everything possible to have the health system of Belize moved to another level. So I won’t continue Mister Speaker because it really shows that in desperation of power of trying to be—I’ll take the position of your friend on that side that looks kinda sad—I will not continue.”