…after alleged adverse reaction to medication

TWO young cancer patients died while undergoing treatment for Leukemia, while another is critical after an alleged adverse reaction to the medication which was administered.

Sources from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) confirmed that three-year-old Roshnie Seegobin, and young Corwin Edwards, died because of the same medication which was administered to them.

According to the source, Edwards died early last week while Seegobin died on Saturday. The other young patient, seven-year-old Sherezer Mendonca, was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where she is in a critical condition.
The GPHC has since confirmed that an investigation has been launched into the incident. During the investigation, all medical persons who were directly involved will be interviewed and the medication which was administered will be assessed.

“Further usage of that medication has been discontinued while the investigation continues…we advise members of the public to resist the urge to speculate on what is a sensitive matter, and to await the findings of the investigation,” said the GPHC.

The hospital confirmed that it will continue to work closely with all stakeholders, including the Ministry of Public Health, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other agencies, in an effort to improve the services they provide to their patients.

“We express our sincerest condolences to the parents, relatives and friends of the children who were involved in this tragic situation, and wish to assure them that we will provide full answers upon completion of the investigation,” said the GPHC.

According to the source, both patients who died were being treated at the hospital for several years. Edwards who hails from a hinterland area, was diagnosed with Leukemia three years ago, while little Seegobin was receiving treatment for about two years.
The source said the families were devastated because the children were responding well to the treatment.

Medical professionals refrained from speaking further on the matter and said they prefer to wait until the investigation is completed.