The Tribune

By EARYEL BOWLEG

Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

HEALTH and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville said yesterday that investigations are underway into the medical care provided to two men who died in separate incidents after raising concerns about their treatment.

The minister said his ministry is examining whether Thomas Jean-Baptiste, an inmate with several serious medical conditions who died on October 4, received adequate treatment and whether his transfer to hospital could have been expedited.

He has also directed the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) to investigate complaints made by the late community activist Gene “Sparky” Fountain in a video reportedly recorded before his death.

Mr Jean Baptiste, who suffered from diabetes, morbid obesity and a history of potentially life-threatening blood clots, died after spending about two weeks in hospital. His sister, Alicia Jean-Baptiste, previously told The Tribune that her brother repeatedly complained about inadequate medical care and food after the Court of Appeal revoked his medical bail.

Dr Darville said preliminary findings indicated that Mr Jean-Baptiste had received medication and treatment while incarcerated.

However, he and Acting Director of Public Health Dr Philip Swann were examining the circumstances surrounding his medical care in greater detail.

“We in the Department of Public Health will do our investigation, as it relates to whether the service was adequate, because from my understanding that the individual suffered from many forms of chronic noncommunicable diseases, and he was receiving treatment.”

“But with that being said, complications can arise, and the question is: Were they detected in time, and was the referral to the Princess Margaret Hospital delayed or could have been expedited? All of these things need to be investigated.”

Dr Darville said he was satisfied with the adequacy of primary healthcare facilities, noting that patients requiring specialised treatment were referred to PMH. He declined to comment further on Mr Jean-Baptiste’s case until receiving a full report and pledged to disclose any violations uncovered.

National Security Minister Myles Laroda previously defended the medical care provided to Mr Jean-Baptiste, saying prison officials were confident he received adequate treatment before his death.

Mr Laroda said he was advised by the commissioner of corrections that Mr Jean-Baptiste had been unwell when he entered prison and was referred to hospital for treatment.

He said the inmate was housed in a dormitory near the prison infirmary rather than a cell and had access to medication.

Meanwhile, Dr Darville said he had instructed the PHA to investigate complaints made by Mr Fountain, who described an 11-hour wait at PMH in a video that circulated following his death.

The minister described the video as “distressing” and acknowledged that accident and emergency services at PMH were sometimes stretched beyond capacity.

“I’ve seen many videos where individuals have complained about slow service at the Princess Margaret Hospital, to some extent through the Rand Memorial Hospital,” he said. “That video was forwarded to the PHA by myself. I’m sure they saw it. I indicated that it needs to be investigated, and we should have a report as relates to that.”

In the video, whose recording date could not be confirmed, Mr Fountain criticised financial barriers to healthcare and described how neighbours helped him into the back of a van while he waited for an ambulance.

He was seen lying in bed in a dark room as he recounted his experience.

Dr Darville said complaints about hospital services must be thoroughly examined, noting that he had seen another video to which the PHA had responded.

“Claims of this nature need to be fully investigated,” he said. “We are supposed to provide a service that is adequate at the accident and emergency.”

However, he acknowledged that emergency services were sometimes stretched beyond capacity.

Dr Darville said the government had long recognised the need to expand hospital services, noting that PMH had outgrown much of its existing capacity as far back as 1999.

He pointed to the purchase of the Harbourside facility and plans for a new urgent care centre on Blue Hill Road, expected to become operational by the middle of next summer, as measures intended to ease pressure on the Princess Margaret Hospital.