Medical Council Says Insufficient Incubators Caused Death of Triplets at Logbaba Hospital

Cameroonians learned with shock the tragic death of triplets born last week at the Logbaba District Hospital. This is a popular state-owned facility in the country’s largest city, Douala.

Born prematurely on January 23, the babies died due to lack of incubators at the state hospital.

Many described the incident as scandalous for a government hospital, which, though funded by taxpayers, lacks basic vital equipment like incubators.

Among those who expressed shock at the incident is the Cameroon Medical Council, an association of medical doctors in the country.

In a release on January 26, CMC President, Fonkoua Rodolphe, said the council has been deep distress after learning of the tragedy.

“The incident is believed to have been precipitated by an insufficient availability of neonatal incubators,” the CMC wrote.

“In this somber juncture, we extend our profound sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.”

Reports suggest the triplets’ untimely death was avoidable, despite the lack of incubators.

The babies’ mother, a 25-year-old, blamed the hospital for negligence

The birth attendants reportedly failed to properly handle and cloth the babies while transferring them to Laquintinie Hospital, which has incubators.

The mother said they placed the babies in cartons and wrapped with pieces of cloth.

One of them reportedly died on arrival at Laquintinie hospital, while the two others died moments later.

CMC Opens Investigation

To further shed light on what really happened, the CMC said it had “initiated a comprehensive investigation to elucidate the circumstances surrounding this tragedy”.

The investigation will “determine the relevant responsibilities, and to identify and rectify any deficiencies in the medical care provided,” the association added.

The Logbaba hospital incident is not an isolated case of premature deaths resulting from insufficient equipment, equipment breakdown or negligence of health practitioners.

The case of the Nkongsamba Regional Hospital dates just two years back.

On March 10, 2023, a newborn burned to death at the Nkongsamba hospital after an incubator caught fire due to power fluctuations.

While the electricity company Eneo tried to explain, authorities took no concrete measures to prevent such incidents.

Last December, a patient died at the state-owned Bamenda Regional Hospital after a man walked into the female ward and turned off the oxygen pipe due to oversight from the hospital staff.

These incidents and several others breed distrust in the healthcare system, which the government has been trying to standardize through the Universal Health Coverage program.

Mimi Mefo Info