A male patient with Influenza A (H1N1) reportedly died at the University Hospital of the West Indies this morning, after being transferred from the Spanish Town Hospital. He is Jamaica’s first confirmed swine flu (H1N1) death.
Health Minister Rudyard Spencer has ordered a probe into the death of the man – who is believed to be approximately 22 years old – and has asked a team of doctors to review the case management. Spencer has ordered that the results of the investigation be reported to him upon his return to the island on Friday (from Geneva, Switzerland where he is currently attending the ECOSOC Annual Ministerial Meeting).
According to a report from the health ministry, the patient suffered underlying medical conditions, and the H1N1 virus may have complicated his condition and led to his eventual death.
Jamaica now has 33 cases and one death as a result of the Swine Flu – H1N1 virus. The World Organisation (WHO) currently reports a total death count of 429 people from 94,512 cases of the virus worldwide.
In case of a significant hurricane, earthquake or other disaster, do you know who can help? The parish disaster coordinator is your first line of contact, and is responsible for coordinating all the activities geared towards preparedness, prevention, mitigation and response with regard to every facet of the disaster management cycle. Below is a complete list (including contact numbers) of Jamaica’s Parish Disaster Coordinators. Note, this list is as at June, 2009.
Kingston & St. Andrew: Isaac Nugent
967-3329
Clarendon: Shermaine Williams
986-2216
Hanover: Olga-Faye Headley
956-2951 or 369-8126
Manchester: LaJean Powell
363-3068 or 775-2630
Portland: Denise Lewis
715-6762
St. Ann: Alvin Clarke
360-7460
St. Catherine: Patricia Lewis
478-8446
St. Elizabeth: Renee Bradford-Britton
634-0768
St. James: Tamoy Sinclair
952-5500-2
St. Mary: Yolande Williams-Jankie
577-8307 or 994-2178
St. Thomas: Millicent Blake
360-7330
Trelawny: Dion Hylton-Lews
954-3970
Westmoreland: Hilma Tate
955-2798
According to data released by the police last week, there have been 322 public complaints filed against members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and its auxiliaries for 2009 so far.
According to the release, April recorded the highest number of complaints against the police, with 64 being lodged. There were 58 in February and 57 in January.
The data also revealed that 122 persons complained that they were illegally assaulted by the police, while another 100 complained that they were unprofessionally treated by the police.
Additionally, of the 322 complaints, 49 were against police constables, 34 against corporals and 49 against sergeants. Inspectors and special constables had a total of 49 public complaints against them.
Related Clovis cartoon that was published recently as well:
