As the Dominican parents of the late Lateefa George continue to explore their legal options following the death of their loved one, a damning report from the psychiatric hospital where she died has surfaced. George who was receiving treatment for a medical condition at the Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital in Antigua and Barbuda, died mysteriously on October 31.
An eight-page report leaked to media in St Johns signed by Clarevue’s Medical Superintendent, Dr James Knight, has raised some serious concerns. In it, there were disturbing comments about the apparent rough handling of a listless George on the morning of her death by inexperienced staff who, the report claims, pulled her up by the arms without supporting her neck.
In the report, one student nurse reported seeing George’s head fall backward and hearing a “crick which emanated from her neck”.
“The patient then started gasping, and froth was seen coming from her mouth, whereupon she became unresponsive,” the report states.
The hospital in question has been a contentious issue for years, with workers there protesting for years about the working environment.
The report states also that “many are grumbling that the ministry is only interested in Lateefa George’s death because of the publicity it has received and the backlash felt by the ministry,”
Meanwhile, Health Minister Molwyn Joseph called a press conference on Tuesday to address the issue.
He said although he had received the report, he hadn’t read the document thoroughly.
All he was willing to say is that a probe has been launched into the death of the 29-year-old Jenning’s resident, and a Coroner is underway.
“As minister, I have absolutely no authority in law or otherwise to become involved in this matter, the government itself does not have any authority. What has happened in this matter, the matter is now in the judiciary, not the administration. I will be irresponsible to immerse myself in this matter at this time,” Joseph told reporters.
This report was a very damning indictment of the conditions at this specific health facility where the mentally ill patients are temporarily housed. It also shows a callous disregard for the lives of the infirm inmates.
Let’s all hope that the coroner’s inquest reveals the unvarnished truth about the cause of death. I’m sure it will be shockingly troubling after reading the initial report.
My hope is that the family of the deceased will sue the government for a monumental sum of money although this would not bring back their loved one to life. The government must be taught to make available the best medical care to all its citizens regardless to social or economic status or type of illness. Everybody is somebody.
After reading excerpts of the relevant report, animals are treated much better, at the vet, than how the deceased was handled at the psychiatric hospital in Antigua.
What is even more shocking is the comments of the minister responsible for this specific ministry. This man should be fired forthwith, not only for the treatment meted UT to the deceased, but for the frightful and abhorrent state of affairs of such an important institution.
Antigua and Dominica are like twin cities. The narcissistic and toxic leadership, and the ghastly economic and social state of these countries are glaringly indistinguishable.
Not enough attention is paid by many governments throughout the Caribbean region on mental illnesses. It follows that the workers who deal with the mentally ill are not properly trained. As a consequence, patients who need genteel and proper care are treated like career criminals.
It’s unfortunate that this young lady had to meet her demise, of all places, in an institution specifically designed for patients such as her. My heart bleeds for her family, more specifically, her mother. It’s inconsolable for any mother to witness the preventable death of her beloved child.