Published on : 11/05/2022 – 17:23
The six midwives were prosecuted for “failure to assist a person in danger” following the death of Astou Sokhna on April 1 at the regional hospital.
With our correspondent in Dakar, Charlotte Idrac
The three midwives sentenced were on the night shift when Astou Sokhna died, according to one of their lawyers, Maître Abou Abdoul Daff. The other three were on day duty. Their defense is in the process of consulting and does not exclude the possibility of appealing this judgment which can be described as lenient.
The prosecution had indeed requested a one-year prison sentence, including one month for four of the midwives and release for the other two. The court therefore made a decision that goes in the direction “ appeasement », selon Me Daff.
The case ” is far from over »
For their part, the lawyers for the husband and mother of Astou Sokhna had pleaded for a trial ” for example », « so that it doesn’t happen once more in Senegal’s maternities, denouncing negligence, even degrading remarks by midwives towards the victim.
The case ” is far from over “Says Master Ousseynou Gaye, who indicates that this Wednesday, before the judgment, a new complaint was filed this time for “homicide” once morest the midwives and once morest the gynecologist of the hospital.
The four midwives who had been under a warrant since April 19 are therefore free. Several heads of health unions were mobilized once more this Wednesday at the Louga court to show their solidarity with their colleagues.
► To read and listen: Senegal: the death of a pregnant woman raises questions regarding the health system
