Caribbean News
Jamaica: Prime Minister Expresses Regret at untimely passing of Young Mother
#KINGSTON, April 27 (JIS): Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has expressed his sincere regret at the untimely passing of the 23-year-old young mother, Jodian Fearon.
Ms. Fearon died at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), about six hours after delivering her first child at the Spanish Town Hospital. She was initially scheduled to undergo a Caesarean section at the Andrews Memorial Hospital in Kingston.
It is reported that she showed signs similar to those of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and was refused admittance.
The Government, through the Ministry of Health and Wellness, has launched an investigation into the matter.
Speaking at a digital press conference on Monday (April 27) at Jamaica House, the Prime Minister called on Jamaicans to remember their humanity in this trying time, based on what took place.
“It is truly a trying time for all of us; for the entire world, but we must never forget our humanity, and we must never forget that there is a power that will see us through all of this,” Mr. Holness said.
The Prime Minister said that the death of Ms. Fearon is personally upsetting to him.
“Even at this early stage, from the information in the public domain so far, it appears that the duty of care owed to Jodian Fearon was not executed. The case must be fully investigated, and already, the police have commenced their own investigation to determine if anyone was criminally negligent,” he said.
The Attorney General is expected to provide advice on the matter tomorrow (April 28).
In the meantime, the Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, has also expressed his regrets.
“This represents for me, one of the saddest moments in the series of events which have seen many challenges associated with this particular threat,” Dr. Tufton said.
“I am indeed saddened by the occurrence which has led up to young Jodian Fearon’s untimely passing, and all of us in the Ministry of Health and Wellness… are understandably upset about the incident,” he added.
JIS News by AINSWORTH MORRIS
KINGSTON, April 29 (JIS):
Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda, says the outcome of discussions arising from the Jamaica National Stakeholder Consultation on Climate Services and the 1st National Climate Forum (NCF-1) will assist in guiding the Government’s planning for climate change.
This, he points out, is important for climate mitigation as well as building Jamaica’s resilience.
“We look forward to the discussions that will, no doubt, take place. We look forward to the basis of planning for the Government to streamline its investments to ensure you have the tools that you need to better advise us, that the WRA (Water Resources Authority) has the tools to digitise its monitoring network, and that all of the agencies that touch our planning mechanisms have the tools. But we need to know what we are facing, and we’re guided by your expertise,” Minister Samuda said.
He was addressing the opening ceremony for the Jamaica National Stakeholder Consultation on Climate Services and the 1st National Climate Forum (NCF-1) at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in New Kingston on Monday (April 29).
Senator Samuda said given the fact that the climate has changed and continues to do so, investments in and collaborations on building Jamaica’s predictive and scientific capacity must be prioritised.
“Ultimately, we need to be able to assess our current climatic realities if we are to better plan, if we’re to insist and ensure that our infrastructure meets the needs that we need it to. I’m very happy that this event is happening… because this is a critical issue.
“Jamaica, last year, faced its worst and most severe drought… and this year, we’re already seeing the impacts of not quite as severe a drought but, certainly, a drought with severe impacts, especially in the western part of the country,” he said.
Principal Director, Meteorological Service of Jamaica, Evan Thompson, explained that the forum aims to, among other things, establish a collaboration platform for climate services providers and users to understand risks and opportunities of past, present and future climate developments, as well as improve inter-agency coordination of policies, plans and programmes.
Among the other presenters were Ambassador, European Union to Jamaica, Her Excellency Marianne Van Steen; Chief Scientist/Climatologist, Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology, Adrian Trotman; and Head, Regional Climate Prediction Services, World Meteorological Organization, Wilfran Moufouma-Okia.
The Meteorological Service of Jamaica hosted the Jamaica National Stakeholder Consultation on Climate Services and the 1st National Climate Forum (NCF-1) in partnership with the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology and the World Meteorological Organization.
The National Stakeholder Consultation is a governance mechanism that guides how different sectors or actors work together to create products that contribute to adaptation and resilience-building. It seeks to create a road map for the development and implementation of climate services to inform decision-making.
NCF-1 aims to bridge the gap between climate providers and users. It increases the use of science-based information in decision-making and operations with the aim of generating and delivering co-produced and co-designed products and services.
CONTACT: CHRIS PATTERSON
-
TCI News1 week agoExperience Turks and Caicos and Ministry of Tourism explore development of Cruise industry at Seatrade Global Cruise Conference
-
Latin America and Caribbean1 week agoRegional SDGs Update
-
Bahamas News1 week agoEnvironment State-Minister updates ‘Our Ocean’ forum on The Bahamas as SIDS leader in sustainable tourism
-
Crime1 week agoFollowing Court ruling, US Embassy Doubles Down on Warning: DO NOT TRAVEL TO TCI WITH GUNS, AMMO
-
Bahamas News6 days agoPacesetting Cohort of Eleuthera Residents Graduate from Leading Light Programme
-
Caribbean News1 week agoU.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS SHINES AS A PREMIER DESTINATION AT THE 2024 SEATRADE CRUISE GLOBAL CONFERENCE
-
Bahamas News6 days agoNassau Cruise Port Donates Nearly $2 Million Towards Food Security
-
Caribbean News1 week agoRBC appoints new Head of Caribbean Banking