| Did Independence Village Child Die Due To Bad Prescription From Private Clinic? |
| Fri, April 28, 2017 |
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| The Ministry of Health has completed an investigation into the death of a 5 month old in Independence Village. On March 4th, police rushed infant Ricardo Quintero to the Independence Polyclinic but he was already dead. A post mortem showed that he died of acute respiratory failure. Eugenie Gabourel, the Administrator Independence Polyclinic told us a little more via phone today:
Eugenie Gabourel, Administrator - Independence Polyclinic
"That baby was brought to our clinic by the police officer already dead. A full investigation was done by the public health nurse."
Jules Vasquez, 7News
"This private clinic in Independence, is it still open"
Eugenie Gabourel, Administrator - Independence Polyclinic
"As of today our team again went and I know when I left there earlier this afternoon, they were still there removing the prescription drugs."
Now, the Ministry has to investigate all deaths of children who are younger than five, but this case stood out, because the child was given a bad prescription at a private clinic in Independence. The Doctor- who previously managed the Estrella Clinic is no longer there and it is run by his wife, who is a nurse, but who has not been approved to practice in Belize by the Nursing Council. As you heard, the pharmacy at this clinic has now been closed down. But that's because they apparently made a mix up - and gave the child two medicines but mixed up the dosages on the two bottles. The Ministry of Health says this may have contributed to his death. They say it is unclear who will bring civil or criminal charges - since the infants family will not sue and the Ministry has to get the opinion of the Attorney General.
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