2 weeks ago
5
Sascha Wilson
Grieving parents Yhnique and Aaron Francois are demanding answers after their six-year-old son, Jasher, died just hours after being admitted to the San Fernando Teaching Hospital for what they described as a “simple cough.”
In an emotional Facebook Live video on Thursday, the couple appealed to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Health Minister Dr Lackram Bodoe and other health officials to launch a full investigation into the child’s sudden death. They have also requested an independent autopsy at the Forensic Science Centre and filed a Freedom of Information request for all records relating to Jasher’s care.
The video, hashtagged #JusticeForJasher, had over 8,000 shares and 4,000 reactions by Friday morning.
“I begging please, we just want answers,” Yhnique cried, adding that her son was previously healthy and did not have a paediatrician because he was not a sickly child.
The family said Jasher had a dry cough since Sunday, but no fever, vomiting, or other flu symptoms. After receiving a referral from the Roy Joseph Health Centre, his mother took him to hospital on Wednesday, where doctors decided to monitor him overnight. His oxygen levels were in the 90s and he was given oxygen and nebuliser treatment.
“There was no alarm that said your child is in critical condition and he may die. There was nothing like that,” she recalled. He was warded after midnight.
Around 6 a.m. the next day, a doctor told her many children were presenting with similar symptoms and she believed Jasher would be discharged later that day. She brushed his teeth, fed him, then left to shower and prepare his favourite vegetable—broccoli.
His father said Jasher was still alert and responsive when he arrived after 7 a.m. He had an IV in place and was on a nebuliser. Doctors told him the child had a lung infection and would be treated with antibiotics.
But shortly after a nurse administered medication through the IV, Jasher cried out, “Da, da, my hand burning,” and began vomiting. The nurse said the medication was magnesium sulfate and stopped the IV, after which Jasher reportedly returned to normal.
“He asked for his mother and said he wanted to go home,” the father recalled.
The nurse restarted the medication, saying the reaction was normal. Jasher vomited again and appeared to fall asleep. The father said he thought the child was drowsy until another nurse tried to adjust his position and realised he was unresponsive.
“She started to vigorously shake him up and raise the alarm,” he said.
Doctors rushed to resuscitate him but were unsuccessful.
Yhnique said when she got the call from her husband that “they kill” their son, she returned to the hospital in a panic. After spending nearly ten minutes looking for parking, she found her son’s lifeless body, with blood oozing from his nose and chest.
She also criticised the way the resuscitation was handled, saying, “There was no empathy… when we ask for an independent autopsy to be done, they said we cannot get the body and they have to do one, and we have to bring in someone… I begging please, we just want answers.”
Minister Bodoe said he has requested a full report from the South West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA). He extended condolences to the family and said counselling services were being offered.
In a statement today, the SWRHA said it had noted the parents’ video and empathised with the family. The Authority said a formal case review is under way and the findings would be shared with the family once completed.
It added that support services remain available and it is committed to maintaining the highest standards of patient care.
English (US) ·