Young cop dies awaiting liver transplant

Twenty-six-year-old Constable Donique Anderson, who had been battling liver disease and needed a transplant, died on Saturday morning at the University Hospital of the West Indies, where she had been admitted for two weeks.

Anderson had been in and out of hospital since returning to Jamaica a few months ago from the United States, where efforts were unsuccessful to have her placed on a liver transplant waiting list because she did not have medical insurance.

Her mother, Gem Donald, was at Anderson’s bedside as she passed away.

She expressed gratitude, especially to Jamaicans in the diaspora who rallied to her daughter’s aid.

“They have become like a second family to me. I cannot thank them enough for all that they tried to do for Donique,” she told The Sunday Gleaner.

Donald singled out Dr Robert Clarke, Dr Rupert Francis, Claudette Powell and Consul General Alison Wilson for their efforts to get her daughter medical help in the United States.

“I appreciate everything that they did, especially the consul general, who did so much to get her into Harlem Hospital for treatment,” she said.

Wilson expressed sorrow at the passing of the young constable, whom she referred to as a “beacon of strength and dedication to the Jamaica Constabulary Force”.

“Her unwavering resilience amidst health challenges was a testament to her indomitable spirit,” Wilson added.

Anderson, who was the sole female in her 2019 graduating batch of 196 constables and who also topped the group with the highest score, had been carving a distinguished path in her career.

Despite her illness, she served first in Four Paths Police Station and later in other parts of Clarendon.

In May, the Jamaica Police Federation had sent Anderson to the US with the understanding that arrangements had been made for her to see a doctor at Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan, New York about her condition.

Donald told The Gleaner at the time that after three days of their arrival, they reached out to the federation as they had not heard any update on the plans. She said there was no forthcoming information regarding which doctor Anderson was to see at Bellevue.

RETURN HOME

As her daughter’s condition worsened, she reached out to Dr Rupert Francis in Florida, who put her in touch with members of the Northeast Health Task Force. They were able to get Anderson treated at emergency rooms at various New Jersey hospitals.

She was, however, unable to get the detailed treatment required for her to be on the list for a liver transplant.

Anderson’s situation was brought to Wilson’s attention, who was able to make arrangements with Harlem Hospital for the young cop to be treated there.

Harlem Hospital was able to arrange emergency MEDICAID Insurance and New York City Insurance to cover Anderson’s stay at the hospital, but the insurance did not cover the cost for the liver transplant.

Anderson and her mother returned to Jamaica after being told that her condition was worsening and that she could die at any moment.

Donald said at the time that she did not want her daughter to die in the United States, so arrangements were made for them to return to Jamaica.

The grieving mother expressed disappointment that the Jamaica Police Federation was not able to make the necessary arrangements for Anderson to renew her contract after serving the Jamaica Constabulary Force for nearly five years.

“Only Ms [Arleen] McBean from the federation reached out to see how Donique was doing. No one else from the federation had been in contact,” she said at the time, referring to the federation’s general secretary.

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