Public Defender's office launches probe into dead babies scandal
Published:Monday | October 26, 2015 | 12:00 AMJerome Reynolds, Staff Reporter
The Office of the Public Defender has launched a probe into the circumstances that led to the deaths of 18 newborns at two of the island’s major hospitals.
The Office says the investigation has already started, but has declined to comment any further.
The dead babies were among more than 40 infants infected in outbreaks at the Cornwall Regional Hospital in St James and the University Hospital of the West Indies in St Andrew.
TIMELINE: The #DeadBabiesScandal ... How the hospitals responded
There has been much public outcry since the Ministry of Health confirmed reports about the deadly outbreaks.
Claims of mismanagement and negligence have been levied by members of the public and some parents of the affected babies against the ministry, the Health Minister and the leadership of the hospitals.
Some parents have also indicated that they are considering taking legal action.
There have been renewed calls for Health Minister, Dr Fenton Ferguson, to resign or for Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller to fire him.