A grieving mother demands answers after her three-year-old daughter died days after a routine operation.
Perth toddler Aliyah Yugovich died on Sunday after undergoing a tonsillectomy at St John of God Murdoch Hospital in the city’s south on June 28.
Hours later on Sunday evening, Aliyah was rushed to the emergency department at Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH) after the toddler developed a fever and flu-like symptoms. There, she and her mother Jessica waited four hours to see a doctor.
Aliyah was diagnosed with influenza A and discharged three days later, on July 3. However, her condition deteriorated rapidly the next morning after she woke up coughing and vomiting blood.
Emergency services were called to the home and performed CPR for an extended period of time before Aliyah was rushed to Midland Hospital and placed in a coma.
She was then transferred to the PCH, where she was put on a ventilator.
On Saturday evening, brain scans and an EEG showed that Aliyah had no brain activity.
The next morning, Aliyah’s life support was turned off.
Aliyah Yugovich (pictured) died Sunday morning after her ventilator was turned off
Her family, including her mother Jess Yugovich, is still waiting for answers as to why the toddler’s health deteriorated so quickly.
In an emotional tribute, Ms Yugovich said Aliyah fought a “short but courageous battle”.
“As we held her tight and the sun began to rise, she drifted away to the other side of the rainbow,” she said.
“You are perfect for this world Aliyah Mae, life will never be the same without you.”
Aliyah has since been remembered as a beautiful, smart and sassy girl who Everyone started laughing and the room was lit up.
An online fundraiser was created to support Aliyah’s parents Jessica, a small business owner, and Josh, a contractor, “as they face every parent’s worst nightmare.”
The couple has no personal vacation days, carries a mortgage and is raising their one-year-old son, Elijah.
“We can’t change what happened and we can’t take away their pain, but we want to help where we can during this devastating time,” wrote organizer Tessa Pritchard.
‘This means that they have more time to grieve, without having to go back to work immediately.
“It also gives them more time to spend with their loved ones and helps cover funeral costs.”
The online fundraiser has already raised more than $72,000.
Mrs. Yugovich told The Western Australian that Aliyah was ‘unique’.
“She made an impression on everyone she ever met,” she said.
“Even if you met her for just 30 seconds, you would never forget it.”
Mrs Yugovich also paid tribute to the PCH staff, stressing that they did everything they could to save Aliyah.
But she and her husband also told Seven News they witnessed a hospital system under pressure.
The couple now has many questions and is demanding answers to prevent other families from experiencing the same pain.
The coroner’s report is expected to provide more clarity on Aliyah’s cause of death in the coming days.
Aliyah (pictured) spent two stints in Perth Children’s Hospital where she lost her brave fight for life
Simon Wood, acting director of the Children and Young People’s Health Service, said a full investigation would be carried out into Aliyah’s condition and the care he received.
“The death has been reported to the coroner, as is standard practice, and the cause of death will be determined following an autopsy and coroner’s examination,” he told the publication.
St. John of God Murdoch expressed his sincere condolences to the Yugovich family.