Disciplinary action will not be taken against the medical officials involved in the care of 25-year-old Nikeisha Caine following her death at the Port of Spain General Hospital last year.

This was stated by chairman of the North West Regional Health Authority (NWRHA) Dr Eddison Haqq during a telephone interview with the Express yesterday.

He said since the matter was already investigated by the Ministry of Health, there was not much they could to do.

"This happened on November 2, 2010, so that investigation took place then, in the absence of a board and carried out by the Ministry of Health, so that aspect of it does not apply," he said.

According to Haqq, what does apply is the board's responsibility to implement any of the changes called for by the committee to look over the report sent to them by Attorney General Anand Ramlogan last month.

However, he said, "I have not yet received the report relating to that from the team appointed to look at the deficiencies of the system, if any, that exist at the hospital so that we can correct them."

On March 21, Haqq told this newspaper that "the committee will look at what deficiencies exist (at the hospital) and what needs to be done to correct it and (the committee) will decide whether there should be any disciplinary action against those involved".

He said then that the team was made up of senior doctors, nurses and administrative executives, and was given one week to put forward their suggestions. To date, he admitted no report has been submitted to him.

Haqq added, meanwhile, that he met with Caine's family and their legal representatives regarding compensation.

"The matter is being dealt with on both sides via the legal representatives.

"Some information was requested by both parties in order for the negotiations to continue. We have received some of the requests and we are to provide the information as required and we are waiting on their provision of the information that we have asked for through the lawyers," he said.

Caine, formerly of Trou Macaque, Laventille, was in the final trimester of her first pregnancy, when she was admitted to the Port of Spain General Hospital in November last year, after experiencing complications following the rupture of her water bag, according to her family.

According to the autopsy report, Caine choked to death on her own vomit, and the lack of oxygen also resulted in the baby's death.

The Ministry of Health conducted an investigation and forwarded the report to Ramlogan, who recommended the Government accept liability, adding that they "find little fault with the strong criticisms of the manner with which this case was dealt".