By Aabigayle McIntosh

A Coroner’s investigation has been initiated to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the death, Lateefa George, while she was a patient at Clarevue Hospital.

According to initial reports, the 27-year-old woman was discovered unresponsive at the facility on October 31, prompting the summoning of Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

The EMS transported her to the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre (SLBMC). The exact timing of her passing, whether during transit or at the SLBMC, remains unclear.

Reports are that senior members of the Ministry of Health received no official notification of the incident and only learned of it through social media accounts.

However, the ministry has taken steps to request a comprehensive report from the senior medical and management teams at Clarevue Hospital.

Ena Dalso Henry, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, admitted that she too first became aware of the young woman’s passing via social media. Given the circumstances of a sudden death, especially of a 27-year-old, she emphasized the necessity of following the coroner’s procedural requirements.

As part of the coroner’s inquiry, an autopsy will be conducted by the country’s lead pathologist, Dr. Lester Simon. The submission of the coroner’s report is expected to trigger a broader investigation, which will include an examination of why information about the sudden death failed to reach senior ministry officials.

Amid growing concerns, reports on social media have indicated that Lateefa George’s family is seeking answers regarding the circumstances surrounding her passing.

They remain uncertain whether her death occurred at Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital or another medical facility. In response to these uncertainties, the family is planning to secure legal representation to initiate a thorough investigation into the matter.