A Dominican woman whose daughter died under medical supervision in neighboring Antigua and Barbuda has retained the services of a lawyer as she awaits an autopsy. Norma George’s 27-year-old daughter Lateefa George died on October 31 while at the Clarevue Psychiatric Unit in Antigua.
Norma said her daughter suffered from mental issues; more specifically Bipolar Disorder, an illness she had grappled with since she was 19. She told reporters in St Johns that her daughter had complained about feeling mentally unwell a few days before her death and she was checked into the hospital. That happened on September 4.
She said by October 30 when she visited Lateefa, she realized her daughter was unresponsive.
“When I reached the women’s quarters, I saw three nurses sitting there. I asked them ‘where’s my daughter’ and they told me she was sleeping…when I saw the child, she was lifeless,”
“She was slanted on the bed with a pillow behind her back and her two hands stretched on her side. I embraced her and I started to cry to her ‘Lateefa, Lateefa’…and she never responded,” her mother told Observer Radio in Antigua
According to reports, the next day, George said she received a call that her daughter was at the hospital. She said she asked what was wrong with her daughter, but wasn’t given an answer.
At the hospital, the mother was told of the condition her daughter had arrived in.
“The doctor told me that the ambulance that brought her did not get anything from her. No pulse, nothing,” she said.
Meanwhile, an investigation has been launched into George’s sudden death.
In a press statement to the media, Ambassador Lionel Hurst, Chief of Staff at the Prime Minister’s Office, said: “ The Minister of Health reported that an investigation is ongoing into the sudden death of a 29-year-old patient at the Clarevue Mental Hospital. The young woman’s parents met with the Minister of Health who visited their home to give them the assurance that a full investigation will be carried out. He was very warmly received and they expressed appreciation for his visit.”
A really sad story. My sincerest condolences to the grieving family of dearly departed, Lateefa. Hope that a very thorough investigation will be carried out to find the real cause of her death.
So many young and vibrant Dominicans have to leave the land of their birth to seek employment overseas.Too many do not get the opportunity to return to their homeland because they meet their demise. How devastating must it be to the family and loved ones.
May the family find comfort in the memorable moments she left for all to cherish. Gone too young.