Two-year-old Isaiah Sumaru was running a high fever when his parents Shadrach Sumaru and Kathryn Ram called for an ambulance in the Melbourne suburb of Dandenong.
“Our boy’s condition worsened on September 24th. So we called an ambulance. But they said there is no need to take him to the hospital,” Kathryn tells SBS Hindi.
The couple called an ambulance again the next day but got the same response.
On September 26th, when Isaiah’s fever did not recede and he was breathing heavily, the couple rushed to their GP.
Isaiah Sumaru was two years and a month old. The couple are expecting another child. Source: Supplied
“Our GP called an ambulance. He gave a referral for an immediate blood test and an X-ray.
“The ambulance took us to Dandenong hospital where instead of attending to my son immediately despite the referral, we were made to wait because no beds were available,” Kathryn says.
Isaiah was in Shadrach’s arms when he asked for juice.
“We gave him juice to keep him hydrated and right after he turned blue. I was panicking. We called the doctor and 20 staff members gathered to attend to my son,” Kathryn states.
Isaiah had suffered a cardiac arrest and he passed away that noon.
The couple blames the hospital, alleging negligence on their part for the loss of their son.
Source: Supplied
“We were made to wait for hours in the emergency room even when we had a referral from the GP.
“We trusted our public health care system. I work with Monash Health and I thought we were in good hands. But they let us down. This has completely changed my view about the public health care system,” Shadrach tells SBS Hindi.
Monash Health is Victoria’s largest public health service and Dandenong Hospital is one of its sites in south-eastern Melbourne.
Source: AAP
"We are investigating"
Monash Health in a statement to SBS Hindi said they have referred the matter to the coroner.
“On 26 September, a two-year-old was brought by ambulance to our Emergency Department at Dandenong Hospital. Tragically, while in the care of Emergency staff, the child passed away.
"We have spoken with the family and our thoughts and concern are with them.
"A review of the clinical management is already underway and will involve a health expert external to Monash Health. The family will continue to be kept informed about the review and support will be provided to the family.
"The matter has also been referred to the coroner,” the statement read.
Kathryn and Shadrach, however, deny the claims made by Monash Health.
“We have been contacted by Ambulance Victoria but not by Monash Health. It is very disappointing,” says Kathryn, who hopes measures are introduced to ensure young children and infants are catered to on a priority in the emergency care.
“We do not want any other parent to go through what we have gone through,” the couple says.
