AG announces team to probe baby's death; promises transparency

Retired judge Mustapha Ibrahim

Attorney General Anand Ramlogan on Tuesday announced the appointment of a committee to investigate the death of a baby following a C-section at Mount Hope Maternity Hospital. The team would also probe related matters in the health sector.

The chairman of the committee is retired judge Mustapha Ibrahim. Other members are: Dr Petronella Manning-Alleyne, neonatologist and former head of the Neonatal Unit at the Port-of -Spain General Hospital and Dr Melanie Clare Davies, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at the University College of London Hospitals and a registered member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

The baby died on Carnival Saturday shortly after he was delivered by C-section. Ramlogan said if there was any wrongdoing or cover-up it will be dealt with and exposed "to the full weight of the law."

He gave the assurance that the investigation is not a witch hunt but rather an attempt to be a "very fair, balanced and unbiased professional investigation and one that will speak to the facts." 

Dr Petronella Manning-Alleyne

Ramlogan promised transparency and said he would present the committee's recommendations to cabinet and advise that they be made public. He said he expects the committee will "tell us if we fell down, if we did not fall down and to take a very dispassionate and professional approach to this matter to prevent similar tragedies." He added, "We must not try, convict and execute while the investigation is going on because that will not serve anyone’s purpose."

Committee member Dr Petronella Manning-Alleyne is the sister of former PM Patrick Manning. Ramlogan said she was chosen because of her expertise and her "willingness to speak out."