In a first of its kind case, a couple is in court for allegedly failing to ensure the safety of their one-year-eleven-month child which caused his death.
Thirty-four-year-old Petero Taitusi and twenty-nine-year-old Loata Vitalina are each facing one count of manslaughter arising from breach of duties and their trial is underway at the Suva High Court.
Taitusi and Vatalina from Sawanikula, Dawasamu are alleged to have failed in their duties as parents.
The court was told this morning that both did not take their child to the CWM Hospital for medical check-up despite being referred by the nurse at the Samabula Health Centre on 19th February, 2013.
The child later died from pneumonia.
Prosecution witness, Doctor Miliakere Baleilevuka, who specializes in child healthcare, gave her testimony via skype from Marshall Islands this morning.
Dr Baleilevuka who was based at the CWM Hospital at that time, recalled getting the child’s referral from the Samabula Health Centre as she was told by a staff nurse that the child was brought to the Health Centre several times and it was noted that he was sickly.
The doctor says she then arranged an ambulance to go to Samabula to pick up the child. However she was told by the nurse that the child’s mother told them she wants to take her son to the CWM Hospital in a taxi but allegedly did not turn up.
Dr Baleilevuka told the court that she waited for the child whole day. She said in cases like this the child needs urgent care, full examination and investigation as he was brought to the hospital several times.
The child who was allegedly never taken for examination at the CWM hospital died on 28th February 2013.
The trial continues.
