Health Ministry launches probe after 'mystery' death of 12-year-old boy

he health sector is now facing another claim of negligence.

This time, the claim is coming from the family of a 12-year-old St Catherine boy who died from medical complications last Thursday.

The child has been identified as Jaheim Anderson, a resident of Old Braeton in Portmore.

The cause of Jaheim’s death is shrouded in mystery, but the manner in which he was treated before his passing has angered family members who say enough was not done to save the child.

"Last week, my brother started to complain about having headaches and numbness in his leg (and) was rushed to the Bustamante Hospital last Sunday," Jaheim’s brother, Odarie Johnson, told Loop News.

He said the explanation he and Jaheim’s mother received left them disappointed.

"When we rushed to the hospital desperately seeking help, the only explanation we were given is that the hospital only deals with children ages 11 and under," Johnson said.

Family members said they were forced to carry the ailing child back home. The following day they took Jaheim to the Spanish Town hospital where they were once again left frustrated.

"Doctors took in my brother, the only thing they did was an X-ray. They then gave him a medication called Cataflam and told us to take him home," Johnson added.

Family members said they were not convinced that this was the right thing to do but reluctantly complied.

"But after a few days at home, the child continued to complain so we again rushed to Spanish Town hospital," the brother said.

This was when the unthinkable happened.

"A day after he was brought to the hospital and we were at home we received the call that he died," the brother said.

Shocked family members rushed to the hospital hoping to get answers.

"Since we go back to the hospital, none of the doctors can tell us what caused the mystery illness or tell us how the child died," another fuming loved one said.

"We are angry, imagine the child went three times to the hospital. All we a ask question, instead of taking time out to do more checks all we got from the medical persons was the run around," said another family member.

As the anger continues to build, family members say they are preparing to take legal action.

They are also calling on the Ministry of Health to look into the matter.