A Californian hospital plans to close after the death of a Black mother on Jan. 10. As of press time, the Centinela Hospital Medical Center—located in Inglewood—is facing a lawsuit that accuses it of racist practices.
But, the medical institute claims that it will close for other reasons.
California Hospital to Close After Black Mother's Death
According to NBC News, the Centinela Hospital Medical Center is being accused of systematic and racist practices.
This was stated in the lawsuit filed by the family of the Black mother victim, April Valentine. They filed the legal action with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
Because of this, the board members decided to call for a state inspection. The investigation was conducted earlier this 2023 by the California Department of Public Health.
But, the Inglewood hospital still denies the allegations, claiming that its health care officials and employees reflect the varied racial and ethnic makeup of the community.
Although it keeps on defending itself, the California-based medical institute still plans to close the hospital this coming Oct. 5.
The Centinela Hospital clarified that it will only close because of a decreased demand for delivery and labor services.
What Happened to April Valentine?
The Guardian recently reported that April Valentine planned to enjoy her life as a first-time parent. She trusted the Inglewood hospital for a complication-free baby delivery.
The 31-year-old Black mother entered the Centineal Hospital Medical Center on Jan. 9. Sadly, she didn't make it out alive since she died the next day.
Her friends and family claim that the hospital's staff were just ignoring April although she is complaining about the pain she's feeling.
They added that medical employees refused to let Valentine's doula (a non-medical companion who can support a person throughout childbirth) be in the wardroom.
"It's hard to even sleep, to even look at my child after seeing what I saw in that hospital that night," said April's boyfriend, Nigha Robertson.
The father even performed CPR on the Black mother to save her. Nigha said that he was the only one who assisted Valentine.
"Nobody touched her, we screamed and begged for help... they just let her lay there and die," he added.
