Tag: Aaron Francois

Independent panel gets statements from Jasher’s parents

THE independent expert panel investigating the death of Jasher Francois, 6, has received written statements from the child’s parents, Health Minister Dr Lackram Bodoe confirmed on September 10.

The minister said the panel’s report will be finalised and submitted to the ministry once the statements have been thoroughly reviewed.

“The ministry remains committed to ensuring that this process is conducted with diligence, transparency, and respect for the perspectives of the family,” he told Newsday via WhatsApp.

He did not respond to questions on whether the report would be made public once submitted.

Francois died on August 6, hours after being admitted to the San Fernando Teaching Hospital for a dry cough. According to Aaron Francois, his son was otherwise normal until a nurse administered magnesium sulphate intravenously, causing him to vomit. He said she continued to administer it, during which Francois became unresponsive and died.

An investigation by the National Nursing Association said it did not find any wrongdoing on the nurse’s part.

“The involved general-trained nurse followed all professional instructions and performed all duties to an appropriate standard, given the systemic constraints in our healthcare environment. The nurse’s professionalism, composure, and adherence to protocol are to be commended, and we stand firmly in her defence,” an August 12 release said.

An autopsy by the hospital on August 7 concluded Francois died from aspiration pneumonitis – a condition caused by inhaling sterile gastric contents, like stomach acid.

Immediately following his death, Francois’ parents, Aaron and Yhnique, called for an independent investigation into the incident. They rejected the findings and commissioned an independent one, which was done on August 10. Performed by Prof Hubert Daisley, the autopsy concluded that Francois died from heart failure, likely triggered by the administration of magnesium sulphate medication. His parents accepted this finding, which they believe confirmed their suspicions.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar instructed the Ministry of Health to launch an investigation on August 8.

Initially given an August 20 deadline, it was later extended to August 25. In a statement, the ministry said the extension was to allow the panel to conduct a more thorough and holistic examination of all aspects of care received.

An August 27 release from the ministry said that although the panel submitted its report, Francois’ parents’ statements weren’t recorded, and it reached out to the couple in the interest of transparency.

Jasher Francois report submitted, parents not included

THE Health Ministry said it has received the report on the investigation into the passing of six-year-old Jasher Francois. However, it said a statement from Jasher Francois’ parents was not received.

In a statement on August 27, the ministry said the independent expert panel convened to review the circumstances surrounding the tragic passing of six- year-old Jasher Francois has submitted its report. The report was originally supposed to be submitted on August 20, but the deadline was extended to August 27.

“While the expert panel has now presented its findings, it is important to note that a statement from the parents of Jasher Francois was not received during the extension period granted to the panel.

“In keeping with the ministry’s commitment to transparency, equity and diligence, the Office of the Chief Medical Officer has formally reached out to Jasher’s parents to ensure their perspective is captured as part of this process. This step is essential to ensure that the review is conducted with the highest degree of fairness, care and sensitivity.”

When Newsday contacted Aaron Francois, Jasher’s father, on August 27, he declined to give a comment.

“We want to thank the media for their pushing our story, but at this point in time, we’re not making any further statements to the media because of the sensitive stage, you know the investigation, and that kind of stuff at this point in time.”

Jasher died on August 7 after he was brought to the hospital to treat a persistent cough.

An initial autopsy said Jasher died from aspiration pneumonitis – a condition caused by inhaling sterile gastric contents, like stomach acid.

A second autopsy, requested by the family, determined Jasher died from a cardiovascular event likely triggered by the administration of magnesium sulphate medication.

The committee members were NCRHA consultant paediatrician Dr Camanee Lutchman; former NWRHA CEO and registered nurse with experience in quality assurance Claudine Sheppard; paediatric intensive care specialist Dr Elizabeth Persad; and former senior legal associate at the Children’s Authority Denelle Singh.

Singh spoke to Newsday on August 27 by phone and said the committee stood by the ministry’s statement.

“When they (the ministry) are ready to produce the report to the public, they will.

“We did reach out to the parents. Unfortunately we weren’t able to meet with them in time for the submission of the report.”

The ministry said it again extended its condolences to the Francois family during this very difficult time and reaffirmed its commitment to conducting the review with integrity and compassion. It said further updates would be shared with the public as the process continued.

Jasher Francois 2nd autopsy: Death triggered by medication

AARON Francois says the findings of an independent autopsy done on his six-year old son Jasher are his final statement about what was the cause of his son’s death.

Francois made the comment after making the summary of that autopsy report public.

Jasher died at the San Fernando Teaching Hospital on August 7.

The autopsy has determined that Jasher died from a cardiovascular event likely triggered by the administration of magnesium sulphate medication.

Prof Hubert Daisley conducted the autopsy on August 10 at Guides Funeral Home, San Fernando.

According to the preliminary report obtained by Newsday, Daisley’s autopsy found, like the exam done at the San Fernando General Hospital, that Francois had aspiration pneumonitis.

However, he found Jasher also had cyanosis of the extremities, cerebral oedema, acute renal injury secondary to shock, cardiomegaly, and a congested loop of small bowel.

Based on those findings, Daisley believed Jasher suffered a cardiovascular event which produced cardiogenic shock, acute kidney injury and a “markedly oedematous brain/hypoxic-ischemic brain injury…

“He vomited during this event, aspirated and died. Most likely, Jasher Francois suffered this adverse event during the intravenous administration of medication.”

After the autopsy was done on August 10, Francois told Newsday the family felt vindicated by the findings.

On August 11, Francois said he would be making no further statements to the media on the matter.

He added the family’s focus would be on laying Jasher to rest.

“I don’t want to talk out of my mouth. I want the report to speak for itself.”

Francois said, “It has put me on a path…a step in the right direction.”

Jasher’s funeral is scheduled to take place at the Baptists’ Ambassadors for Christ Church, St John’s Village, San Fernando, at 11 am on August 16.

Jasher was taken to the San Fernando Teaching Hospital on August 6, three days after developing a persistent cough.

He died there a day later.

The family said Jasher was alert and responsive at the hospital, but when he was administered magnesium sulphate intravenously, he began to vomit and complain that it was burning his hand.

They said the treatment was paused but, after a nurse said she had consulted with a doctor, they were told that the medication could cause brief discomfort for some children, and it was resumed.

Jasher then continued to vomit and was later found unresponsive. His family thought he had fallen asleep.

Attempts by a medical team to revive Jasher failed and he was eventually declared dead.

The Francois family commissioned a second autopsy for Jasher after they were not satisfied with the results of the first autopsy, which concluded that he died from aspiration pneumonitis – a condition caused by inhaling sterile gastric contents, like stomach acid.

In a video on her Facebook page on August 8, Jasher’s mother Yhnique called on Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Health Minister Lackram Bodoe for a thorough investigation and an independent autopsy into the tragedy.

Minister: Committee created to probe Jasher’s death

On August 11, Health Minister Dr Lackram Bodoe announced that a committee had been appointed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the Jasher’s death at the San Fernando Teaching Hospital on August 7.

A statement from the Health Ministry said Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar instructed Bodoe to announce the creation of the committee which comprised of four experts in the areas of paediatrics, paediatric intensive care, nursing, quality assurance and law.

It said, “Their mandate is to review the case and determine whether the proper standard of care, clinical judgement and professional responsibilities were upheld.”

The committee has been instructed to submit its report by August 20.

The ministry said it remained fully committed to transparency, accountability and upholding the highest standards of care, with continued focus on the safety and well-being of all citizens, especially our nation’s children.

(With reporting by Rishard Khan)

Jasher’s dad: New autopsy confirms suspicions

THE father of six-year-old Jasher Francois, who died at the San Fernando Teaching Hospital on August 7 after being treated for a persistent cough, said an independent autopsy has confirmed his suspicions over the cause of death.

In a telephone interview on April 10, Aaron Francois said the autopsy took place earlier that day.

The autopsy was supposed to have taken place on August 9.

“What I can say is that the findings of this second independent autopsy vindicates my initial suspicions without a shadow of a doubt…without a shadow of a doubt.”

Francois did not say what those findings were.

But he said, “When I have the official report, we will send it out to the media houses.”

Francois was hopeful he would get the report on August 11.

“I don’t want to talk out of my mouth. I want the report to speak for itself.”

Francois said, “It has put me on a path…a step in the right direction.”

He added the family’s focus is now on laying Jasher to rest.

Jasher’s funeral is scheduled to take place at the Baptists’ Ambassadors for Christ Church, St John’s Village, San Fernando, at 11 am on August 16.

Jasher was taken to the San Fernando Teaching Hospital on August 6, three days after developing a persistent cough.

He died there a day later.

The family said Jasher was alert and responsive at the hospital, but when he was administered magnesium sulphate intravenously, he began to vomit and complain that it was burning his hand.

They said the treatment was paused but after a nurse consulted with a doctor, they were told that the medication could cause brief discomfort for some children, and it was resumed.

He continued to vomit and was later found unresponsive. His family thought he had fallen asleep.

A subsequent statement from the Health Ministry said, “The Minister of Health…has taken immediate steps to initiate the investigation, to ensure that all relevant facts are gathered swiftly and transparently.”

The family said they also received a call from Bodoe after posting the video.

PM, Bodoe offer condolences on death of 6-year-old boy, probe underway

THE Prime Minister and Health Minister Dr Lackram Bodoe have offered their condolences on the death of Jasher Francois, six, who passed away at the San Fernando Teaching Hospital after being brought in by his mother for a cough.

The Health Ministry in a release on August 8 said “a full and urgent investigation” will be done into the circumstances of Jasher’s death. The ministry’s releases follows an earlier statement from the South West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA) that it is also probing the medical case.

“The Prime Minister and Minister of Health extends deepest condolences to the Francois family on the passing of six-year-old Jasher Francois and recognises the profound pain of losing a child and extends sincere wishes for comfort and resilience during this time of grief,” the ministry stated.

It said the investigation would “ensure that all relevant facts are gathered swiftly and transparently.”

Francois’ mother, Yhnique Walkins, posted a video to her Facebook page with her husband, Aaron, on August 7 detailing the events surrounding the loss and calling on authorities for a thorough investigation and independent autopsy.

“We are calling on Kamla Persad-Bissessar, you are mother to the nation at the moment, from a mother’s heart to yours, please.”

They also appealed to Bodoe and San Fernando West MP Dr Michael Dowlath.

According to his parents, Francois was admitted on August 6 after developing a persistent cough on August 3. Doctors advised them that his coughing was likely due to the flu and he would be given treatment in line with the diagnosis.

According to their accounts, Francois was very alert, responsive and otherwise normal until he was given, what they were told was, magnesium sulphate intravenously.

Having witnessed the incident, his father said Francois complained of discomfort and vomiting while being administered the drug, but the nurse assured it would only last about 20 minutes. However, a few minutes later, he became unresponsive and died despite resuscitation efforts by the healthcare team.

“He was ripped away from us. I left my son to come home to bathe and to make some broccoli for him and for my husband to call me, when I thought he calling me to tell me ‘Don’t forget this for Jasher,’ he call me to say: ‘Yhanique come now, they kill we son!’ It’s words that a mother never want to hear,” Walkins said.

In its statement on August 8, the SWRHA said a formal case review on the care and management Jasher received in underway.

It said this was “consistent with standard clinical review procedures when such concerns have been raised and the findings will be fully disclosed to the parents upon completion.”

“The SWRHA empathises with the parents and relatives of the deceased during this time. Counselling and support services have been made available and will continue to be extended to the parents as they navigate this situation,” its release said.