Health Minister Therese Baptiste-Cornelis told reporters the action is in connection with the investigation into the death of Crystal Ramsoomair, who died at the hospital following a C-section for the delivery of her third baby.
The baby girl survived but the mother died from what the autopsy report called "hypovolaemic shock, poor hysterectomy, and Caesarean Section". Hypovolaemic shock happens when there is severe blood loss and the heart is unable to pump blood through the body.
Read the story: CMO orders "complete investigation" in death of woman at San F'do General Hospital
Read the editorial: Why did Chrystal have to die?
Baptiste-Cornelis said the preliminary report on Ramsoomair's death revealed certain information that warranted the suspension of the medical personnel.
The doctors and nurses are now on two weeks suspension with basic pay. Some doctors did not receive their letters because they were absent from work or because chose to take voluntary leave, she said.
The minister said the suspensions are "in keeping with best practices in the delivery of medical care" at the nation's health institutions and should not be viewed as a penalty. She said it is a method to ensure public confidence and transparency in the investigation, which she expects to be completed in two weeks.
The minister assured the public that although so many health care professionals will be either in suspension or voluntary leave services at the hospital will not be affected.
JYOTI understands that the investigation so far has found that the procedure was done by a junior doctor who reported that everything went well with the delivery.
It was later discovered that the woman was bleeding profusely and emergency surgery was required. However during that procedure the medical personnel were unsure about the source of bleeding and were unable to stop the bleeding, which caused her death.
Last Friday, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar established a special committee to enquire into and review the existing policies and procedures that govern maternity health care in Trinidad and Tobago.
She was speaking at the opening of the Eye Operating Theatre and the newly refurbished Eye/ENT ward at the San Fernando General Hospital.
She said the chairman of the South West Regional Health Authority, Dr. Lakram Bodoe, will chair the committee, which will submit a report to the Minister of Health within three months.
Read the story: PM Kamla establishes committee to review maternity health care
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