Pregnant woman falls to her death at Georgetown Public Hospital

Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has launched an investigation into the death of a 22-year-old pregnant woman who died after reportedly falling from a window of the female medical ward on Sunday evening.

The woman has been identified as Marissa Eastman of La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, Region Three. Authorities said Eastman, who was approximately six months pregnant, had been admitted to the hospital earlier that day after relatives became concerned about what they described as increasingly abnormal behaviour.

In a statement, the hospital said a psychiatric evaluation was conducted upon her admission. According to GPHC, the assessment did not reveal any psychotic symptoms or suicidal thoughts at the time.

The hospital said it has initiated a full internal investigation into the incident and will review existing protocols related to patient observation and mental health monitoring, including suicide watch policies, to determine whether any safeguards need to be strengthened.

“Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation has also offered psychosocial and psychiatric support to both the relatives of the deceased and staff members affected by the incident,” the statement said.

However, relatives have raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding Eastman’s death. Speaking to local media, family members questioned how a patient who was reportedly showing signs of psychological distress was able to leave her bed without supervision, gain access to a window, and fall from the third floor without intervention.

The Guyana Police Force has since launched its own investigation into the matter as inquiries continue into the events leading up to the woman’s death.