Infant deaths concern police

Fiji’s Police Force is concerned about the number of infant deaths recorded recently – seven within 12 days.

According to post mortem results most of the deaths were a result of viral pneumonia and a few cases of diarrohea.

Out of the seven, four girls died within three days from October 17-19 including a 10-month old, a 4-month-old, and an 8-month old girl of Vaturuva as well as a one-year-old girl.

“Reports received shows a worrying trend where most of the infants were sick at home and later died when they were taken to hospital for treatment,” Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro said.

“On the 7th of this month a one-month-old infant who was sick was conveyed to CWM Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

“Again on the 15th a 1-month and 1-week old baby was conveyed to the CWM hospital by her relatives and was pronounced dead on arrival. Police reports had indicated that she was rushed to hospital after her mother found suffering from breathing complications. A post mortem was later conducted with the cause of death being Viral Pneumonia.    

“A day later a similar report was lodged at the Sigatoka Police Station where an 8- month-old baby who was suffering from fever and having breathing difficulties was conveyed to the Sigatoka Hospital and was pronounced dead on arrival.”

As the Ministry of Health had earlier highlighted earlier more than 500 children under the age of five are admitted in Fiji hospitals yearly diagnosed with pneumonia, recording over 30 deaths annually.

Some cases have been highlighted where the children were kept at home while alternative treatment was sought and after failing to get any progress the child is then taken to the Hospital where unfortunately it is too late.

By Indrani Krishna