Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed is calling for an investigation into the reported deaths of four babies at the Bath Regional Hospital between June and August, saying grieving families deserve answers about the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
But the hospital has since accused Mohamed of seeking to exploit the grief of families to create a false narrative about healthcare. “Recent claims by Azruddin Mohamed about the Bath Regional Hospital require a response, not with political rhetoric, but with facts,” the hospital said on its Facebook page yesterday.
Mohamed made the call while speaking with one mother, Karishma, who lost her baby girl after giving birth at the hospital on July 19. Karishma was taken to the Bath Hospital after going into labour and experiencing bleeding and was subsequently prepared for a caesarean section.
By the next morning, she said she repeatedly asked hospital staff about her baby but was initially told to wait for the doctor who performed the surgery. Her husband and mother also struggled to obtain information before a cleaner told them that the baby had died.
The family later viewed the baby at the mortuary and Karishma alleged that the baby’s face was bruised and bleeding and that there was a large black-and-blue mark on the shoulder.
She said a doctor later told the family that the baby had died because the placenta had separated from the baby. However, Karishma questioned that explanation, saying she remembered feeling the baby moving strongly before the surgery.
She also raised questions about discrepancies between the birth and death certificates. She said the birth certificate recorded the baby as being born on July 19 at 8:51 p.m., while the death certificate recorded the death as July 20 at 12:48 p.m. “Why would you give me a birth certificate showing that my baby born the 19th of July…then later come with another form, a death certificate, telling me that my baby dead?” she questioned.
Mohamed said three other families had reported losing babies at the facility. He shared that one involved 24-year-old Emily Singh, whose baby was born on June 27 with a condition requiring specialised care but died at Bath after the family was reportedly unable to secure an appropriate referral arrangement.
Another mother, 24-year-old Rictecia Semple, reportedly lost her fourth child after being given conflicting information about whether the baby had a heartbeat before delivery.Mohamed also cited the case of a healthcare worker whose baby was reportedly born at Bath on June 25 and died four days later.
Kiskadee Watch reached out to the families but none of them was willing to share any further details because of fear of victimisation and the backlash that they said they have been receiving because of speaking with the Opposition Leader.
Meanwhile, Mohamed said the cases raise questions about whether the $6.6b hospital has adequate resources and referral systems to deal with complicated maternal and neonatal cases.
Mohamed is calling on Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony and the government to investigate the reported deaths and determine whether proper procedures were followed and whether the hospital had the resources required to manage the cases.
Facts before politics
In response, the hospital pointed out that since its opening on July 30, 2025, 314 babies have been delivered there, while four infants have died. “Every one of those deaths represents an unimaginable loss, and our deepest sympathies remain with the families,” the hospital said in its statement yesterday.
The suggestion that an infant death automatically proves negligence or inadequate care is medically irresponsible, the statement said, adding that each case must be assessed on its individual clinical circumstances and evidence. “Following these deaths, families were engaged, medical findings were explained and, where appropriate, post-mortem examinations were conducted.”
In some cases, families declined post-mortem examinations despite being advised of their importance in determining the cause of death, the hospital shared. “Mr. Mohamed is entitled to ask questions. He is not entitled to present speculation as established medical fact. Anyone genuinely interested in what occurred should support proper clinical review, examination of the complete medical records and appropriate investigation; not diagnosis by social media.”
The statement continued that Bath Regional Hospital has delivered hundreds of babies and continues to serve thousands of people. “Its doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers deserve scrutiny when warranted, but they also deserve fairness. Partial accounts can create unnecessary fear and mistrust among the very patients who depend upon the hospital,” the hospital said.
“Families with concerns should have those concerns heard and properly investigated. The hospital has specifically invited patients and relatives to engage its management so the relevant medical information can be reviewed and appropriate explanations provided.
The standard must be simple: facts before politics, evidence before accusation, and compassion before exploitation,” it continued.
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