By DENISE MAYCOCK
Tribune Freeport Reporter
dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
A grieving mother said she still has not received an explanation for the apparent burns on her child’s remains in the morgue.
Bianca Wilkinson wants an explanation of what happened to the body of her seven-year-old son, D’Karter Gibson, who died at the Rand Memorial Hospital in December.
Although she has laid her son to rest, Wilkinson said closure is needed so that she and her family can move on.
D’karter was admitted to the paediatric ward in early December after experiencing shortness of breath. He had previously suffered from seizure disorder, cerebral palsy, and asthma.
D’karter passed away on December 16. However, sometime between that date and January, his body appears to have suffered burns while at the morgue. Ms Wilkinson only became aware of the condition of the body after it was released to the mortician on January 18. She did not have an open-casket viewing at her son’s funeral.
Health Minister Dr Michael Darville was asked recently by reporters about the matter and said they are still investigating the incident.
Ms Wilkinson believes it is unacceptable that she has not received a call or any answers.
“My thing is, if the body was properly stored, then what is it that you are investigating? How come I still have not gotten any answers or response as yet?”
“I just want to know the truth why my son’s body was like that. We all are humans, we all make mistakes. Just say what happened … so we all can move on from this.
“That was my only child; it is not fair. I just want to know the truth, and that would be my closure,” she said.
Comments
IslandWarrior 1 year, 1 month ago
Bianca Wilkinson and several other mothers have come forward with disturbing tales about the state of their loved ones' bodies after death or discharge in critical condition, only to pass away at home.
The healthcare system in the Bahamas is a cause for alarm. As private healthcare is often too costly for the average family, government-run hospitals become the only viable option for Bahamians. However, the facilities have high mortality and complication rates, and even simple admissions can result in death, exacerbated by the unacceptable behavior of healthcare providers. The situation is now being viewed as a game of Russian roulette, with Bahamians' lives hanging in the balance.
This scenario highlights the importance of prioritizing healthcare as a fundamental aspect of national development. If citizens are afraid to access their country's health services, it speaks volumes about where their government's priorities lie. By providing sufficient resources, training competent medical professionals, and maintaining hygienic and functional healthcare facilities, governments can demonstrate their commitment to the well-being of their citizens and foster overall growth and prosperity.
Criminal
ThisIsOurs 1 year, 1 month ago
I mentioned this case to a physician casually the first day it was reported in the press, and within 2mins (maybe it was seconds) they asked, did he have Stevens Johnson syndrome? They dont know because they dont know the details, have no idea what he was being treated with, they simply posed it as one known side effect of treatment of seizure patients that can cause skin peeling. We need health detectives like this in our health care system. They may not always be right but they have deep knowledge of pathology, and use that to think outside the box, somewhat like the Indian doctor in Africa who first posed a radical theory on the pathology and treatment of COVID
The people who actually treated D'kartar would have to say what drug he was treated with and if there was any evidence of a rash.
"The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning the public that the anti-seizure drug Onfi (clobazam) can cause rare but serious skin reactions that can result in permanent harm and death. We have approved changes to the Onfi drug label and the patient Medication Guide to describe the risk of these serious skin reactions. Patients taking Onfi should seek immediate medical treatment if they develop a rash, blistering or peeling of the skin, sores in the mouth, or hives. Health care professionals should discontinue use of Onfi and consider an alternate therapy at the first sign of rash, unless it is clearly not drug-related.
These rare but serious skin reactions, called Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), can occur at any time during Onfi treatment. However, the likelihood of skin reactions is greater during the first 8 weeks of treatment or when Onfi is stopped and then re-started. All cases of SJS and TEN in the FDA case series have resulted in hospitalization, one case resulted in blindness, and one case resulted in death.
IslandWarrior 1 year, 1 month ago
In the country, there is a prevailing attitude of apathy and disregard. This is evident in our daily lives, whether it's navigating the streets, seeking assistance from a government agency, or sending emails to government officials that go unanswered for months or even years. It's disheartening to see Bahamians viewed as an annoyance in their own country, where prioritizing personal gain and pushing others aside in long queues is valued more than ensuring public safety. Unfortunately, some see police aggression towards the public as a commendable approach.
The current state of affairs in the Bahamas reflects the mindset of its leaders. New leaders must emerge to bring about meaningful change and progress in the country. It's time to seek leaders who prioritize the well-being of the people, shows empathy and responsiveness, and are committed to uplifting the nation as a whole. Only then can we move towards a brighter future for the Bahamas.
ThisIsOurs 1 year, 1 month ago
It's not so much about not being caring, sometimes they simply don't know. You don't need to understand why a patient has a fever and as rash to prescribe tylenol or an antibiotic. Patient cured! But the knowing of "why" can lead to heading off the crisis 3 months down the road that was signaled by the fever
ThisIsOurs 1 year, 1 month ago
Actually that's exactly what we need. Health Detectives, that's the job title. We could save thousands of lives. Their only function is to review cases and treatments for reasonability. Is the treatment reasonable for the patient's symptoms, are there any unexplained symptoms that need further analysis, are there any patients not responding to treatment? They have to be empowered to function independently of beauracracy, no time for power plays because it could literally be someone's life on the line. And for Gods sake dont give the job to your friend or based on high profile just to say look we have a Heslth Detective
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