Man dies after hernia surgeries Sando hospital to contact family after claims of negligence

CARLON PROVIDENCE learned he had a hernia during a routine medical examination as part of a job application, and ended up dead after undergoing an operation to correct the problem.

Providence, 22, died at the San Fernando General Hospital on Sunday evening, after two follow-up surgeries failed to stop the bleeding.

His family is planning to take legal action because they say doctors were negligent.

Sister Tricia Thomas, speaking on Monday at the Express’s San Fernando office, said her brother, who wanted to be a pastor, was in good health until he went to the hospital.

“He went for a medical exam about two months ago and they told him he had a hernia growth, so went to do the surgery to cut it. He played football the day before he went to the hospital.”

Chief executive officer with the South-West Regional Health Authority Paula Chester-Cumberbatch offered condolences to the family, stating that the SWRHA “will contact the family to discuss their concerns and offer all necessary counselling in this situation”.

Providence, who lived at Basseterre, Moruga, admitted himself to the hospital last Wednesday.

He underwent his first surgery last Thursday, Thomas said.

“My sister went during visiting hours to see him and he was being rushed to the second surgery because the doctors said he was bleeding too much.

“On Saturday my father got a call from the hospital, asking him to sign for another surgery and the last surgery was done on Saturday evening.”

Thomas said a pathologist told her Providence died because of the anaesthetic that was given to him.

Thomas said she was also told he received 16 pints of blood without the family knowing anything.

“He did not even have his blood tested. My father was supposed to get it tested and he did not because the doctor told him not to.

“The doctor did not even know what was going on. He said my brother had a rare condition.”

Thomas said the last words she heard from her brother were that “he was thirsty and his throat was dry”.

“I told him he could not drink anything because he was doing an operation.

“He loved his football and he loved preaching. I am not really sad because he used to always say he was not afraid of dying.”

 

Extracted From: Trinidad Express Newspaper

Published on Feb 9, 2011