Senior Reporter
jesse.ramdeo@cnc3.co.tt
The parents of twin baby girls who died at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital have been having an uneasy time navigating the way forward since the tragedy.
The twin girls were among several babies who died at the PoSGH Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) due to a suspected bacterial infection.
During an interview with Guardian Media yesterday, Travis and Jodie Molino explained that feelings of overwhelming loss and sorrow have been consuming them since the death of their girls.
Travis, 32, said their hearts doubled with joy and happiness on news that twin girls were set to fill their lives.
“We were both so thrilled, my wife and I come from large families and the idea of my eldest daughter having siblings was very exciting for us. We had started buying stuff, cribs, double walking stroller, we had put in new linen closets and cupboards in our room in anticipation of them coming home,” Travis said.
On March 18, Jodie, 31, was admitted to the PoSGH, where she delivered the girls.
Immediately, Ella Luccia and Esme Valentina left their father in awe, as their mother remained under anaesthesia following the births.
Travis stated, “It was bliss, I was so extremely happy and overwhelmed to see them. Yes, I was a bit scared at first because they came at 28 weeks, so I am worried but I’m also excited to be a father again, it is a whole bunch of emotions wrapped up in one.”
The special bond between the twin sisters, however, was severed just after a few short hours.
“I would have seen them first, I came back in the day and saw them about 10 o’clock, then again in the evening and then I saw my daughter, Ella, who is the younger one, when she passed away. She was alive for just around 22 hours.”
Ella, who was admitted to the NICU and placed on intubation, required a blood transfer.
As the Molino family struggled with the heartbreaking loss, they still had reason to hold on as Esme showed signs of endeavouring.
“Logically, I know she is in the NICU so she is obviously in a critical spot and I’m going to see her twice a day and I’m seeing that she is trudging along. She’s getting better day by day, I’m seeing her step down on the ventilator, she was going up on her feeds, I’m hopeful, I’m positive.”
Despite prayers for a miracle, the family’s hearts eventually sank even further three weeks later and after one blood transfusion, when Esme died.
Travis and Jodie said despite assurances and a promise from Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh in Parliament that families would get the medical records for their babies by Wednesday, they are yet to receive any documents.
According to a legal correspondence from Freedom Law Chambers, the firm representing the families, the hospital’s failure to provide the records to the families as indicated was an indictment on the institution.
“It is difficult to understand why the NWRHA continues to hide our clients’ medical notes and records and why it continues to engage in this dangerous and hurtful public relations game, whereby it says one thing and does the complete opposite. It is difficult to understand the sense of violation and hurt and pain that our clients feel in light of the fact that the MoH gave a personal commitment regarding the release of their medical records which was breached.”
Travis said while he is committed to now ensuring the well-being of his wife and family after the ordeal, it has not been easy.
“I haven’t stopped and processed things. Yes, I’m keeping myself busy, being there for my family. I’d be lying if I said there was a game plan here. Devastating is the only word I can use to describe this.”
Both Travis and Jodie encouraged other families grappling with similar situations to keep in prayer and find solace and support from those around them.
