THE management of the new Lima Regional Hospital, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), has strongly rejected malicious and misleading reports being circulated on social media regarding the unfortunate passing of a patient on August 23, 2025.

According to Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr. Ranjeev Singh, the article suggesting that the hospital lacked oxygen and was unprepared is false, malicious, and without basis in fact.
Dr. Singh explained that the deceased, a 19-year-old male, had a long-standing history of Sickle Cell Disease with frequent hospital admissions over the years.

He was also recently suspected of leukemia and was referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Haematology Clinic, but unfortunately, he did not follow through with this referral.
On August 23, 2025, the young man was transferred from Oscar Joseph District Hospital (Charity) to Lima Regional Hospital in critical condition, presenting with fever, nose bleeds, jaundice, and passing dark brown urine—symptoms consistent with severe complications of his underlying illness.

Hospital records, the RHO said, show that shortly after admission at 21:25 hrs, he developed acute respiratory distress and low oxygen saturation.
Immediate medical interventions were initiated, including oxygen therapy, CPR, defibrillation, and administration of emergency medications. Despite every effort by doctors and nurses, he was pronounced dead at 22:52 hrs.

Dr. Singh emphasised that oxygen was available at the hospital and that the medical team responded swiftly and professionally. The unfortunate outcome, he said, was due to the patient’s advanced, chronic, and critical condition—not due to any negligence or lack of resources

He, therefore, urged the public not to be misled by false and sensational claims, which only create panic and undermine public confidence in the health system.
Adding her voice, the patient’s mother, Ms. Yolande Benn, who lost her only son, also dismissed the claims. She confirmed that her son did not die because of a lack of oxygen, and appealed for respect and compassion during this difficult time.

The Ministry of Health reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the continuous strengthening of healthcare delivery in Region Two and across Guyana.