Dr Alfred Dawes Demands Compassionate and Comprehensive Response from Health Ministry Following Allegations of Negligence at Bustamante Hospital for Children
Kingston, Jamaica, January 9, 2025: The Opposition Spokesperson on Health and Wellness, Dr. Alfred Dawes, is calling on the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) to provide a more comprehensive and empathetic response to allegations of gross negligence that have been circulating in both traditional and social media regarding the tragic death of Alexandrianna Jones at the Bustamante Hospital for Children.
Alexandrianna Jones reportedly passed away from complications following a surgical procedure. The grieving family has raised serious concerns about the circumstances surrounding her death. However, Dr. Dawes has criticized the insensitivity and lack of substance in the ministry’s sole public statement on the matter, which he says has only added to the emotional distress of the bereaved family and the hospital’s staff.
“It is unbelievable that the MOHW has failed to address a critical allegation, that the child had died long before the parents were informed. Confirming or denying such a claim does not require the family to first submit a written report. The response from the ministry has been cold-hearted and devoid of empathy at a time when the family and hospital staff are deeply traumatized,” Dr. Dawes stated.
He further pointed out that sufficient evidence already exists to clarify the timeline of events and to provide closure for the family and the concerned public. “This issue demands immediate action from the authorities. The family and staff deserve transparency and accountability,” Dr. Dawes emphasized.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, Dr. Dawes highlighted the troubling fact that the child, while in critical condition, had to be transported to another facility for an emergency CT scan before treatment for complications could proceed. He expressed frustration that such a vital diagnostic tool is unavailable at Bustamante Hospital for Children, a leading pediatric facility in the region.
“The Opposition has repeatedly called for proper radiological services at major hospitals. How can the premier children’s hospital in the Caribbean, which performs highly complex heart and brain surgeries, not have a CAT scan? This unacceptable gap in resources leads to preventable delays that cost lives. How many more lives will be lost before the Ministry’s policy decisions prioritize the needs of patients and staff over costly, delayed infrastructure projects rife with inefficiencies?”.
Dr. Dawes also criticized the Minister of Health’s silence on the matter, calling it “deafening.” He urged the Ministry to immediately provide clarity about the timing and circumstances of the child’s death to bring closure to the grieving family and the hospital staff.
“The public and the Opposition await a tangible and compassionate response from the Minister and his team. This is a matter of urgency, and anything less than full transparency and decisive action is unacceptable,” Dr. Dawes concluded.
