The police in Dominica say they have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the sudden death of well-known Calypsonian Leandra Cuffy.
Police PRO, Acting Inspector, Pellam Jno Baptiste, said it was reported to the police that Cuff, 41 from Grand Fond, complained of severe headache on the morning of Tuesday, September 20, and was transported to the La Plaine Health Center.
“Cuffy was referred to the Princess Margaret Hospital for further medical examination,” he explained. “While being transported by the Fire and Ambulance Service, there was a need to make a stop at the Riviere Cyrique Health Center where Cuffy was examined and pronounced dead by a medical doctor.”
He said a coroner’s inquest will be convened and investigations are ongoing.
I work in a hospital every sudden death an AUTOPSY has to be done. When things happen evrybody has something to say, but when our number is up we dont know when, where and how. I know what her family is going through becuase I had four sudden deaths over ten years again talking about it hurts. My sympathy to her family. RIP young lady.
rest in peace my love sing with the angels……so sad
Picture do deceives however, an autopsy is the real answer. Beautiful young woman. RIP
First of all. You all don’t know nutting. All the time she was on the ambulance there was a doctor with her. So stop blasting people. She died on the way so they just turned back and went to the health center to confirm the death. Jeez with you people
The health system in the Grand Fond, Riviere Cyrique, Morne Jaune is not geared for serious emergencies. The protocol is supposed to be: Go to the local nurse; she refers you to La Plaine; La Plaine refers you to PMH. Leandra’s death should serve as a wake up call for the people in that region. It wasn’t an ambulance she was traveling on. If she had to wait on one she would have died at her home. Based on the severity of what the “bush” doctors suggest – with the set up that exists and lack of equipment nothing would have helped Leandra. And even if there was a working CT scan at PMH the 45 minute drive would not have helped. The lesson to learn: We must always be ready for when Great Lord calls. Rest in peace my dear Leandra.
Those who view Dr. Oz program (have not viewed it recently) may have heard what he stated about drinking water.
Sometime ago I received an email message pertaining to heart attacks and drinking water prior to going to bed and also in the morning after getting out of bed.
Dr. Oz said a heart attack could occur “three hours” after getting up from bed; especially for men.
This is the reason why we should drink some water prior to retiring for the night (not necessarily just before going to bed but earlier) and when we awake. Who knows? This could also prevent a headache. A medical doctor could confirm it.
Some of us have a tendency not to drink ample water especially in a hot climate. If you recall, recently there was a discussion on DNO pertaining to drinking water, the blood and brains..
It is also stated, high blood pressure could also trigger a headache.
I do my utmost to practice what I know and have stated. What I have stated is for the benefit of all.
Sad that she died from a headache. Was this the first time she suffered from a headache?
There are times we feel a headache but may not take it seriously.
As I wrote the headache information, I remembered a few years ago, one Saturday in summer, I awoke early and felt I had a headache. I hardly ever get a headache. I thought it could be the summer’s heat.
This was a reflex. I went into the kitchen and made Peppermint tea and took two Vitamin C tablets. They eased my headache. I returned to bed and fell asleep. Later, I awoke to my body shaking, wondering what was the cause. An earthquake was taking place while I was sleeping; not a bad one. Strange!
Having stated that, when she complained of a headache, was she given a glass of water to drink or some tea? I am also wondering if a glass of warm milk would do, i.e., if there was time prior to going to the health center/hospital, and if this would have temporarily helped until she received medical care.
I turned off the computer. As I walked away, I felt the urge to Google Causes of headaches and what could trigger a headache. As a force, I returned to the computer, turned it on and Google “What causes a headache.” It is interesting to know:
Medical News Today: Dec 30, 2015 – Primary headaches are caused by dysfunction or over-activity in pain-sensitive structures in the head. The most common form of primary headache is the tension-type headache. A wide variety of conditions can cause secondary headaches, ranging from hangovers to brain tumors.
Mayo Clinic – Headache Causes – Your headache symptoms can help your doctor determine its cause and the appropriate treatment. Most headaches aren’t the result of a serious illness, but some may result from “a life-threatening condition requiring emergency care.”
Headaches are generally classified by cause.
It also stated, causes of headache could be dehydration.
Please Google Causes of Headaches and relevant information.
It will not bring her back (RIP) but it is wise to know, for information purposes.
Sounds like the ambulance was doing all it could. Closest medical facility in time of emergency is what needed. Unless the coronor says there is suspecions of foul play then the only thing the investigation should find is how can we cut time for someone to get to a hospital in a serious emergency. The impact of a stroke heart attack and other such emregencies on anyone is greatly dependant on how fast you get care. With community centers and hospitals ill equipped to handle such cases it will happen again. We have not changed much from the days of horse and donkey were better.
Furthermore they should look at her medical records see if there were underlying issues like high bp, sugar, high cholesterol etc.
There are times I feel, no matter what, what is to happen will always happen.
God knows before we do and more than we do.
The autopsy will reveal if she had an underlying medical problem which caused the headache and subsequent passing-on or if it was sudden. The latter is not unusual. It is sad and shocking though for it was unexpected. RIP to her soul.
my heart goes out to the family my she R.I.P knew her from a small woman can’t belive it
take it easy
Are the few ambulances equipped to respond to emergencies? Are the paramedics trained properly to respond to emergencies. We recently heard of the launching of the E911 system. How is this going to benefit the masses if we do not have the basis covered? All these are potential jobs the government should invest in and the ambulance part needs to be separated from the Fire Service. Stabilizing casualties are important it comes to saving lives. In Dominica our health care system is indeed TERRIBLE. Take a page from the Ross University. Very well trained staff when it comes to responding in emergencies.
It took months to repair the MRI machine at PMHS. I sincerely doubt that LaPlaine or any other small community health center has these types of machines that are operational. The distance between these communities in the East and the main hospital in the South of the island raises serious concerns. You see, when your leaders are more concerned with traveling the globe and selling passports to enrich themselves and their friends, we wind up in a state of suspense where there are no improvements to our overall way of life from “Donkey Years Ago.”
What’s your point? I live in a G7 country where folks have to wait an average of 2 months for an MRI!
We Dominicans love to pass blame without knowing the cause of anything firsthand. Some of our doctors who went to DNO medical college has already prognosis they cause of death. Our island is not as flat as other countries so it makes it a tinge bit more difficult than other places, even in the states the young lady could’ve died on her way to any hospital. A young lady from Portsmouth just died in the U.S.V.I. of blood-clot in the hospital, when God calls us home we can’t say we’re not ready yet. Leandra job was done on this earth, look at all the people’s lives she has touched, it’s time to put her way of life to our own. I saw someone said if we had an air-ambulance, could the loud noise and the pressurized cabin put more pressure on her head? Would it not be better to wait to find the cause of death? Are all hospital in the states capable of that type of surgery, or would you have to be transported to one who does that? DA is the place we were born in lets be more mindful of…
Even in a big country, it could happen. They must wait for the autopsy. I would not blame those in the medical profession. I do believe they knew what they were doing and must have done their best to decrease the pain of the headache and stabilize her.
I am wondering how did she feel prior to going to bed or the previous day for that matter. Illness could surface suddenly.
A few years ago in summer, a D/can resident was in Toronto visiting her family. She fell ill. She was admitted to the hospital. A few days after she died. It was sad, a shock for everyone especially her family.
I paid my respects to her family at the funeral parlor prior to them taking her body home for the funeral service and interment.
She was well known in D/ca. She was a nurse in D/ca. She had a higher position. This goes to show. The best of doctors/nurses may not be able to prolong life. This is not their fault. We must leave it in the hands of God.
The name given to such an investigation is “INQUEST”. This type of investigation happens whenever any person dies suddenly. SUDDEN DEATH =INQUEST. That’s normal daily procedures.
This is very sad. How could a country has a mini bus transporting the sick to hospital without any medical professions on board. If one was present the decease and many others would have been saved instead of the stopping at another health centre for her to be checked. It is about time that the government of Dominica deal with this problem.
Let us say this is what they had at hand. Keep in mind she was suffering from a headache.
This is your opinion but you (we) never know.
Based on the description of her symptoms, I believe she had a brain aneurysm that raptured. which quickly becomes life-threatening. The question is, do we have any medical facility in Dominica to prevent a sudden death? Your guess is as good as mine.
If anything, her sudden death should raise the following questions: 1. How many persons from the east would survive any medical emergency when the closest thing to a hospital is in Roseau, 45 minutes drive away, on bumpy roads? Yes, they took her to La Plane and Riviere Cyrique HC, but do they (including PMH) have a CT scan or MRI scan to detect the problem and repair it immediately? 2.Shouldn’t her death even force us to question the madness behind the closure of Marigot hospital? 3. Wouldn’t it make more sense to equip a hospital before demolishing? 4. Why should a government invest millions to build hotels all over the country instead of investing on at least one life saving hospital? Replacing hospitals with hotels?
Well said.
Stripes…the only symptom stated was a severe headache n allu Dominicans are all fake medical doctors and fake crime scene investigators…that alone cannot determine that it was a brain aneurysm. You Dominicans always think you all know it all but is a whole lot of crap you guys come up with. You people need help boi
I am 100% with you. Why do we need all these hotels on the small island. first of all people will not have any interest visiting Dominica, when they have to travel two days before getting to the island. wouldn’t you rather to get to an island where you can get their the same day? for these hotels to succeed we need easier facile to the island. Someone, tell the prime minister we do not need all these hotels, we need hospitals and good health care to save the citizens that have being dying on a daily basis; while on the way to the hospital or at the hospital. ??????????????
so in essence what you are saying the marigot hospital would have saved her life had it not been demolished,,which by the way was unhealthy and unsutable to sustain life,,,boy I doh know how you all people does just get up and vision development…but I will tell this much despite of your ignorance and don’t know how…development takes sacrifices,,even at the cost of lives…the government and republic of china is attempting to give dominica what it never had before…but hear you sparrowing like dominicas scientific and medical units had been so advance..that lives were always sustained before the disclosure to build or renovate a proper hospital…amen..cemetery church you have given the highest emotional and motivational speech of all times.
let me add my respects to family and the sister lest forget…rest in gods peace sister
Cemetary Church, everything for you Uwpites is Politics. Which medical facility can prevent a sudden death?
I do agree with some of your points; though I think you’re over-generalising. First of all, a brain aneurysm is a silent killer. Clearly, this young lady didn’t stand a chance became that kind of damage is swift and fatal, and the only preventive method rested on her shoulders. Prior to her death, I wonder if she experienced pain in her head that would have impelled her to visit the Roseau hospital. Unfortunately, aneurysms may give some indications that something is wrong, or it creeps up to the magnitude that this lady experienced that caused her death.
I agree that better access to healthcare is needed in Dominica, but the island is vast and funds to keep a doctor in each village is farfetched and impractical. Knowing that is the reality, Dominicans have to place a premium on their lives by visiting the doctor, or nurse periodically and speaking about health concerns. We need to take advantage of what’s available even though it’s meager so we can live longer.
I though so too that it may have been an aneruym based on the symptoms. If that’s the case the prognosis is slim and there is nothing much the paramedics could have done since the main hospital is so far. RIP Leandra. This is a sad moment . Condolences to her family.
There are times some of you must put on your thinking cap. Just imagine residing in a big city. A call is made to 911. The one who receives the call asks a few questions prior to dispatching the ambulance. The ambulance has to go through traffic with its siren blasting.
The one who is ill could be residing in a house or in an apartment. If in an apartment, the paramedics must take the elevator; they have to wait for it to come.
When they finally reach the one who is ill, they perform whatever is necessary. Then they place the person on the stretcher, tighten it and then proceed to the elevator. They may have stopped the elevator or have to wait for one. Then they have to go to the ambulance. The driver starts it and drives to the street, through the traffic to the hospital which may not nearby.
Once they arrive, they must go through Admission. Well, imagine the rest. Could the sick person not have died during all that time? Some do and some don’t.
Just to give you an idea, we who reside in a big country, a big city are faced with a similar situation. Consider those who reside in remote areas of the province/country. Be understanding. This goes for each and every critic on this matter.
Police, first things first. You should know, prior to conducting an investigation you must first wait for the results of the autopsy which will reveal the cause of her death.
Misley Rolle died in a supposedly accident. The cause of her death is still under investigation. For how long?
I would think you would first concentrate on solving this case which Dominicans are eager about, to know/hear the results of what really caused her death.
All sudden deaths MUST be and SHOULD be investigated. Don’t you know the death of Misely Rolle is still being investigated? Do you have any information that could help the police? Why didn’t you call on the authorities to solve the attempted murder of Mr and Mrs. GON Emmanuel, 7 years ago. You know very well that someone said HE DID IT, told us how he did it, who paid him, how much he got, then that person left Dominica and only returned when he was asked to. We heard Tony, Charles Savrin, Simeon calling names on Kairi. We know upon his arrival he was arrested. We know on court day someone changed his confession and gave a bogus reason for giving false testimony. Strangely enough, the police or the court did not charge the man for lying to the police and, very strangely enough, the individual did not sue the man for calling his name in public for such criminal act. Hell has a special place for such unrighteousness
If it was a brain aneurysm, I doubt that there is anything that anyone could have done.
You are correct. If it was, it could have been too far gone. I visualize the headache was a massive one.
Last evening I spoke to one of Cardinal Felix’s sister about Leandra, calypsonian who passed on. I usually inform her of significant matters of what I read on DNO.
She mentioned at the 60th Anniversary of the Priesthood of her brother, two women calypsonians sang, at intervals at the celebration, at the Stadium. I told her, one of them could have been Leandra. Those who know her would about that.
Folks, it is always a shock when someone dies suddenly especially if the person appeared to be healthy. Babies die in their sleep. Young people also die in their sleep and/or suddenly.
What needs to be investigated, where was she the night before and what she ate. Was she in a good spirit or not? Meaning, did she get angry the day/night before. Blood rushes to the brains when people are angry. A headache could mean many things, a health problem/sudden illness.
Leandra, I never met you but I surely wish your soul God’s blessing and to rest in peace.
We are really in need of an air ambulance service ..this is a must on the table of the new hospital. How can we building a state of the art hospital an an air ambulance is not part of the plan. Remember Arika… emergency service could not access the affected area by land or sea . ThIt us getting worst with disastereo in Dominica . Access to trap communities is a bid big problem… hope this comment or blogg reachieve the Pm and minister of health..
taps on shoulder…<> “but if our hospital state of the art why would we need an air ambulance?? ohh ohh ok i understand
I am not a negative person. Are you aware or have you considered that an ambulance can get into an accident while transporting a sick person to the hospital; also an air ambulance?
You know, the air ambulance has to get to a certain point to pick up a sick person. The sick person has to be transported to it. Will it land on the house of the sick person and take off from there? It still has to fly over trees, rivers, etc. Food for thought.
Does the Ambulance staff know C.P.R?. Cardio pulmonary resuscitation?.
With coming of air ambulance you must train staff….. CPR
I think from the description of her symptoms she had an aneurysm.
My first thoughts as well.
Look another fake internet doctor..from the description of what symptoms? smh. .N the thing about it a whole lot of people giving thumbs up like as if they did an autopsy. one symptom they stated and you guys already became doctors
Aneurysm killed my brother he had just left a store he died on the sidewalk maybe 1 % survive from it.
So young and vibrant. But when the death Angel calls, no one can say no. Only what we do for God is of value. My people repent and give your lives to God cause death has no respect of persons. My deepest condolences to the family and friends of this young lady.
Some of you think you are perfect and when you die, be it immediately, you will automatically enter Heaven. Well-learned and genuine Christians who do their utmost to fully practice the faith, not merely by reading Holy Scripture but practicing it, know what they must do to obtain God’s forgiveness, to be pleasing to Him and to be saved, to enter Heaven.
We are not saved by our own volition but by the grace of God. We must cooperate with Him for our salvation and that of others and by praying for them..
Many of you talk but you do not know one bit what Heaven is truly comprised of.
Just keep in mind what St. Paul said: “Nothing defiled will enter Heaven.” It means, not one bit of stain of sin on the soul. It also means not attacking the religion and devotions of others. Therefore, let everyone comprehend that and live/act accordingly.
When some die they will have a rude awakening some, to their eternal regret.
Pray to God for this enlightenment. Some lack it.
I don’t understand how this happens, she checks into the La Plaine Health Center, who I am assuming referred her to PMH because they couldn’t help her but on her way there they stop at another Health center in Riviere Cyrique , only for her to be pronounced dead. Now the police are investigating? Whats the investigation for? Its not going to figure out the incompetence of Dominica’s emergency personnel. Why not just conduct an autopsy? Wouldn’t that be the way to figure out cause of death. Once again things seems to be done backward.
Whenever there is death less that 24 hrs of being in medical care, an investigation must be done to rule out foul play. The autopsy falls in as part of the investigation. I believe it’s standard procedure.
Comment above,Hello dopey just to inform you the police have a job to do what ever happens if the police did not investigate people like you would be running down the police for not doing their job properly and also Dominica is this Dominica is that.
All sudden deaths are investigated by police. And the investigation does include an AUTOPSY. It is called a coroner’s case. And the history so far sounds like a subarachnoid haemorrhage from an aneurysm in the brain. It has a very high fatality rate even in the first world.
Be careful of your words. It is like questioning God. It reminds me of a Jewish Proverb as follows:
Don’t Question God –
He may say: “If you are so anxious for answers, come up here.”
I like that one.
A child’s night prayer which I remember since I was a child:
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord, my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake,
I pray the Lord, my soul to take.
In my little bed I lie,
Heavenly Father hear my cry.
Bring me safe to morning light. Amen!
Let us pray and live accordingly.
The health system in the Grand Fond, Riviere Cyrique, Morne Jaune is not geared for serious emergencies. The protocol is supposed to be: Go to the local nurse; she refers you to La Plaine; La Plaine refers you to PMH. Leandra’s death should serve as a wake up call for the people in that region. It wasn’t an ambulance she was traveling on. If she had to wait on one she would have died at her home. Based on the severity of what the “bush” doctors suggest – with the set up that exists and lack of equipment nothing would have helped Leandra. And even if there was a working CT scan at PMH the 45 minute drive would not have helped. The lesson to learn: We must always be ready for when Great Lord calls. Rest in peace my dear Leandra.
You missed a line: Heavenly Father hear my cry
“Lord protect me through the night”
and bring me safe till morning light…
@ Bazil. Thank you for the correction.
You know what it is like when trying to memorize it and to write it. I do say this prayer as often as I can.
I hope the government will change their procedure especially for emergencies.
It is unfortunate that those health centers are not geared for serious emergencies. There should be a professional who can handle emergencies at those centers for they are remote areas.
After the autopsy is performed and the police investigation is conducted, I hope the authorities will consider changing their format for especially emergencies.
Even though I did not know her, as a human being, I put myself in her situation. I feel what occurred to her and the end result for also especially her family.
May her soul rest in peace. Amen!
Never saw her before but I’ve heard her music and love it. Especially “pray for me” Such a beautiful lady. You will be greatly missed. RIP.
If there was a doctor at Riviere Cyrique, why wasn’t she brought there instead of La Plaine? It can’t bring her back but maybe the procedure for transferring patients needs to be looked at. RIP Leandra.
hello.. can you please take your time to read and understand. The article quotes: ” there was a need to make a stop at the RIVIERE CYRIQUE Health Center where Cuffy was examined and pronounced dead by a medical DOCTOR.”
It is so sad. The headache was serious enough to have quickly caused her passing on.
I suppose with such a headache she went into a coma.
You know the saying, her time came. RIP.
You can imagine how anxious all Dominicans are to know what really caused her headache and passing.
After the conclusion of the autopsy and the police investigation (as with other investigations), it would help if they (we) are told. This would put all minds at rest.
If my memory serves me right, the doctor is based at La Plaine!!!