SEHRA escalates probe of improper disposal of babies’ bodies
The South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) says it has escalated its investigation into the improper disposal of the remains of neonates (newborn babies) stored at the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH)morgue earlier this month.
The scope of the investigation includes identifying control breaches, practices and issues surrounding accountability at Kingston Public and Victoria Jubilee hospitals’ morgue. 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.
According to SERHA, 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. The breach resulted in some human remains being unaccounted for, based on morgue records.
The authority said it is also concerned about reports that human remains that had been reported missing have since been found or accounted for, and is investigating these reports with urgency.
The regional health authority, which covers Kingston, St Andrew and neighbouring parishes, said while the investigations continue, 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, 2018 to facilitate continued investigations.
2. Enhancement of security measures 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.
SERHA said its chairman, Philip Armstrong, has expressed his deepest regret about the situation and the impact it has had on family members of the deceased, and on the community.
He has also committed to spare no effort to identify the source of the problems, and to take measures to ensure the problem does not reoccur.
The matter was first reported by SERHA to the public on May 12, after the remains of neonates were discovered.
