24 April 2019
Dignity in death and compassion for the bereaved at a time of neonatal mortality
Last week I wrote about neonatal mortality at the National Referral Hospital following a distressing and confidential report I had received from a well informed and reliable person.
What that person told me went further than what I said in my letter to the media but touched upon the need for dignity and compassion when a death occurred of a new born infant.
I will not go into all the details except to say I feel for parents that may have lost a child at birth and would ask that the hospital authorities continue to minimise, as far as possible, any added distress to relatives and friends and to do so in a compassionate and sensitive manner.
As I reported earlier it had been said the total neonatal mortality at the NRH was 16 per 1000 live births, and 77% of deaths occurring in the first days of life,
Some of those grieving parents finding their newborn child had died might not have the means of a proper burial and even may not have the money to buy a simple coffin.
I would like to appeal, therefore, for some kind donor, or donors, to contribute to the NRH a stock of simply made child’s coffins so a deceased infant could been given the respect it deserves when released by the hospital to the bereaved parents.
A simple coffin, similar to the design I have illustrated would go some way to helping with the pain of child loss and burial.
Please do try to help with such a worthy cause.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
