The Ministry of Health and Sanitation have suspended over 15 Health workers following the death of a destitute pregnant woman and her unborn child.

The said woman was allegedly rejected in two hospitals in Freetown during her labor which led to her death and that of her unborn baby.

Giving brief fact of the matter, the Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) 1, Professor Charles Senessie, explained that while on routine check across various hospitals, he came to know of a tragic incident where a destitute woman was laying hopelessly, vomiting and bleeding at the Spur Road in Freetown.

He said a Medical doctor who was passing by intervened and informed the National Emergency Medical Service (NEMS), requesting that the woman be taken to a government hospital.

The woman was then rushed to the Satellite Hospital at Kingharman Road and the Princess Christian Maternal Hospital (PCMH) at Cottage Hospital, respectively but was rejected by the health workers on duty and referred to the Rokupa Hospital at Wellington.” He added.

The Rokupa Hospital according to the Deputy Minister, accepted to take in the woman but the woman unfortunately died on the way.

This poor demonstration of the work of the health care sector is unacceptable in our country. There are colleagues in the profession who are not up to the level of empathy and professional discharge of duty,”  Senesie stated.

He concluded that after the horrific incident, the professionals involved were summoned and disciplinary actions were taken, including the suspension of all practitioners who neglected the poor pregnant woman.