Trial For Infant’s Deaths In Chone Comes To International Courts

With an extreme hygiene image, Napoleon Davila Hospital of the city of Chone designs its facilities after reporting over 26 deaths of infants in 2006. Of these, only 5 parents continue with the trials to the ministry of health.

These complaints are in the inter-American court of human rights, forced to the slow process in local courts. The plaintiffs are demanding the Ecuadorian state to be compensated financially and that they recognize this attack on human rights to the 26 neonates. It is estimated that in the coming months there is a ruling in their favor.

Ricardo Fernandez, the 5 plaintiffs parent’s lawyer, indicates that many families gave up the trial and that some cases went on threats and ensures that those accused of the death of infants, even continue working in this nursing home.

Kerty Alcívar, current director of Napoleon Davila, indicates that there were no studies to determine the causes of deaths, and claims “(…) Something that was confirm was the sepsis, this was extra hospital (…) Ten cases were from sepsis, eleven cases was premature and five because of malformations on the babies”.  Alcívar affirmed that the 80% of children, who arrived at Napoleon Davila, came from private clinics and notes that they may have already come with the bacteria.

After the death of the 26 infants, the Ministry closed the area of infants for one year. By this time, there were changes in the duct system and air conditioning; also the hospital staff was trained in biosecurity.

Source: El Comercio Newspaper