An investigation has been launched into the alleged death of a newborn baby at the Lautoka Hospital on 30th November.

This was revealed by Opposition member Prem Singh in parliament this afternoon.

Health Minisiter Jone Usamate has confirmed they are strictly looking into the matter to determine the root of the problem and the cause of death.

‘’At the end of the day the investigation will be carried out and at the end of that we hope we will be able to identify exactly what happened and if need be appropriate actions will be taken and we hope that in the future that those that come to hospital will not have the kind of tragic deaths that have taken place’’.

The baby was delivered healthy but died a few seconds later and the family is alleging the doctors didn’t allow cesarean.

The Health Minister has also told parliament that the case will also be investigated by outside parties.

‘’Since yesterday we have decreed there will be investigations into this matter by third parties from medical professions outside the normal government systems to look into this matter and understand why it happened and see what went wrong’’.

Usamate says the Ministry maintains that it will reduce infant mortality down to about 5.5 for every thousand live births and minimize the occurrences of such deaths.