17/05/2025
Neglectful Care in Pediatric Ward
As a parent of a seriously ill child, I never imagined that in our most vulnerable moments, I would have to be on high alert — not only for the well-being of my own child but for the safety of other babies in the ward. But that became our daily reality.
Numerous times during our hospital stay, I shared rooms with other families. We formed a bond not only out of empathy but out of necessity. We found ourselves watching over each other’s children so that we could take breaks, sleep, or simply try to be the best versions of ourselves for our sick babies.
We were told by staff that if anything occurred while we were away — during those rare moments of rest — we would be notified and updated accordingly. We were led to believe that we could trust the staff to care for our children as we would.
That trust was shattered.
On multiple occasions, I and other parents witnessed shocking neglect. Babies would vomit in their cots while alarms rang out, only for nurses to remain seated at their station, eating fast food or chatting casually about their weekends. Monitors would be ignored. Babies were left distressed, crying, sometimes even at risk of choking, while the staff remained disengaged.
It was us, the parents, who turned babies onto their sides to prevent choking, re-settled them to help calm their heart rates, and pressed emergency buttons to alert staff when the situation became critical. Instead of support, we were reprimanded — told not to touch children that were not ours, even when those children were clearly in distress and no one else was helping.
One night in particular, I was informed by another family that my child, Mason, was crying uncontrollably, distressed, and alone. I had encouraged them to comfort him in my absence. Mason was reportedly reaching out, desperate for someone to hold his hand. The staff told the family to leave him be. When I returned the next morning, I was told he had a “very settled night.” That lie was not only insulting — it was cruel.
This wasn’t a one-time event. It was a pattern. And based on conversations with other families, it’s still happening.
This level of neglect is not only unethical — it’s dangerous. The lack of accountability, compassion, and responsiveness within that ward poses a direct risk to vulnerable children and betrays the trust that every parent should be able to place in a hospital.
I will not stay silent while this continues. Our children deserve better. No family should have to rely on other parents to keep their babies alive during a hospital stay.
I am demanding a thorough investigation into this ward’s conduct and protocols, and I call on hospital leadership and health regulators to take immediate action.
