SERHA deepens probe into disposal of dead neonates at KPH
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) says its investigation has revealed that there has been a breach in the standard operating procedure with respect to the storage and removal of human remains from the Kingston Public and Victoria Jubilee Hospital’s morgue.
SERHA, in a release today, said based on its preliminary findings, the investigation into the improper disposal of the remains of neonates stored at the morgue of both hospitals has been escalated.
According to SERHA, the scope of the investigations includes identifying control breaches, practices and issues surrounding accountability at the KPH and Victoria Jubilee Hospital’s morgue.
This, SERHA explained, includes the process of transferring medical waste from the hospitals to the medical waste management facility, and the transfer of human remains to the external morgue services provider are also being reviewed.
“The investigation so far has revealed that the standard operating procedure with respect to the storage and removal of human remains from the morgue was not followed. This breach has resulted in some human remains being unaccounted for based on morgue records,” said SERHA.
The health authority also expressed concern about reports that human remains had been reported missing have since been found or accounted for, and is investigating these reports with urgency.
While the investigation continues, SERHA said the following actions are being taken:
1. The interdiction of three employees, including the Mortuary Supervisor and personnel from the Morgue and KPH Operations as at May 31 to facilitate continued investigations.
2. Enhancement of security systems to include the installation of a buzzer system and surveillance cameras.
3. Immediate recruitment of additional mortuary staff.
4. Strengthening and reinforcement of the standard operation procedures for morgue services.
Chairman of SERHA, Philip Armstrong expressed his deepest regret about the situation and the impact it has had on family members of the deceased, and on the community.
He said he has committed to spare no effort to identify the source of the problems and to take measures to ensure the problem does not reoccur.
