‘Do your job with care’

Senior Reporter

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With his voice breaking under the weight of despair as he eulogised his younger son Jasher, Aaron Francois pleaded with the nation—especially healthcare practitioners—to carry out their duties with diligence and care.

It was a spirited yet sorrowful farewell at the Baptist Ambassadors for Christ Church in St John’s Village yesterday, as Francois, his wife Yhnique, and their son Josef laid Jasher to rest following his tragic and controversial death at the San Fernando Teaching Hospital on August 7. Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles-Robinson and Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union President Ancel Roget were among those who came to support the grieving family.

Standing in the same church where he married Yhnique, Francois urged mourners and those watching online to let Jasher’s passing inspire a greater sense of purpose.

“Whether you are an employee at a job, business owner, entrepreneur, politician, lawyer, educator, or medical practitioner, please, I beg you, let us ensure that we do what we do with diligence in our hearts.

“This way, we can become much better people and a much better nation—a nation that would be beneficial for many future generations, inclusive of other six-year-old children like my beautiful son Jasher, to live a prosperous and great life,” Francois said.

Supported by relatives as he fought back tears, he thanked the country for its overwhelming outpouring of love.

Jasher, six, a pupil of St Paul’s Anglican Primary School, died after a cardiovascular event believed to have been triggered by the intravenous administration of magnesium sulphate. He had been admitted the day before for a persistent dry cough, alert and responsive as he received oxygen and nebuliser treatments.

On the morning of August 7, a nurse administered magnesium sulphate via IV. Jasher immediately complained of burning in his hand, vomited, and then collapsed. Despite CPR and adrenaline, he was pronounced dead shortly after.

A hospital autopsy cited aspiration pneumonitis as the cause of death. However, an independent examination by Prof Hubert Daisley concluded Jasher suffered cardiogenic shock, acute kidney injury, severe brain swelling, and aspiration pneumonitis, most likely triggered by the IV medication. His death has sparked national outrage and investigations by the Ministry of Health and the South-West Regional Health Authority.

Even in her grief, Yhnique smiled as relatives performed Another Time, Another Place, a song she once sang with Jasher. She told mourners she longs for the day she will see her “sweet boy again.” Between moments of worship, she shared tender memories: his bright morning greetings before breakfast, his dream of becoming a teacher, and the bond he shared with Josef.

She recalled that during his final night in hospital, Jasher played with his face while softly singing “Amen.”

“So today my declaration is Amen, so be it, for the Lord has given and the Lord has taken away, but blessed be the name of the Lord, for my belief is that even in this situation, the Lord is good and His mercies endureth forever,” Yhnique said.

In his own message, Josef, seven, poured out love for his brother:

“Dear Jasher. You are my best friend. You always played with me. I never had someone like you because you are my little brother, and I will always remember you. I will always love you forever and ever and ever. I know that you are with Jesus. You will never come back to me, but I will come to you and we will play and laugh together again.”

Delivering the sermon, Bishop Anthony Timson urged mourners to “worship through their wounds.” He reminded them of King David, who lost his infant son, but trusted that one day they would be reunited.

“It is not goodbye, or goodbye for a while. It is, ‘see you soon,’” he said, telling the Francois family to thank God for the six years they were given.

Among those who remembered Jasher was former teacher Nicole Stafford, who recalled his radiant smile and generosity—always willing to share his snacks and coloured pencils.

Outside the church, Beckles-Robinson expressed sympathy.

“It is difficult for any parent to lose a child in those circumstances. Of course, when going to the hospital, one never knows what will happen. The most important thing, having regard to the circumstances, is to ensure that the investigation is completed within a reasonable time, because of the pain and the hurt,” she said, calling on authorities to move quickly to bring answers and ease the family’s anguish.