JAMAICA | Patient released from Cornwall Regional Hospital after invasion by thugs

MONTEGO BAY,  Jamaica, April 26, 2022 - Normal operation resumed at the Accident and Emergency Department of the Cornwall Regional Hospital in St. James today, after persons described as gunmen invaded the A&E.

The thugs demanded that a patient, said to be a DON and who was admitted in what is said to be a suspected diabetic coma condition on Sunday, be immediately released in their care as his condition did not warrant medical care, rather he needed an Obeah man.

Wiredja.com  understand that the gunmen demanded that the man be released into their custody but the medical staff resisted after stating that the patient was too ill and needed treatment.

Assistant Commissioner of Police for Area One Clifford Chambers spoke to the matter in a Twitter posting;

Official statement from Assistant Commissioner of Police Clifford Chamber in regards to the incident at the Cornwall Regional Hospital. pic.twitter.com/nfbPr1euFk

— Jamaica Constabulary Force (@JamaicaConstab) April 26, 2022

Senior Medical Officer (SMO) at Cornwall,  Dr. Derrick Harvey said that there were no injuries during the incident, which took place about 9:30 am, but he reported that the staff was overwhelmed by the group of people who barged into the department.

“As far as I am concerned the members of staff would have felt overwhelmed by the number of persons who came into the department, but there were no incidents of anyone being hurt or any incident of any weapons during the incident,” Harvey said.

He pointed out that eventually, the patient was released intop the custody of his mother, who after demanding his release, signed a document authorising his discharge.

Dr Harvey refuted claims that nurses had left the compound after the incident, but acknowledged that the nurses were shaken up by the ordeal.

In a statement this afternoon, the Ministry of Health and Wellness stated that they are aware of the inciden t andthat the matter is being investigated.

The ministry said the hospital is still carrying out services to all patients.