KINGSTON, Jamaica – Reports are circulating that the recent resignation of Dr Alfred Dawes as president of the Jamaica Medical Doctors Association (JMDA) is linked to the deaths of 18 babies at the Cornwall Regional Hospital and the University Hospital of the West Indies.

The Ministry of Health on Tuesday disclosed that, since June, 18 babies out of 42 have died from health care-associated infections while in intensive care at both hospitals. Klebsiella and Serratia bacteria reportedly caused the infections.

One media house also reported that Dr Dawes has been earmarked for a top position at the Spanish Town Hospital, and as a result has left the leadership of the JMDA, which spoke out against the state of the country’s ailing health sector in May.

But, when OBSERVER ONLINE contacted Dr Dawes who has been out of the country since the beginning of October, he acknowledged the speculations surrounding his resignation and rubbished the claims being made in the media. Dr Dawes said that his resignation came before the story broke.

“Another media house carried it and that is entirely untrue. It is simple. My contract with the South East Regional Health Authority ended in September. I am currently away on end of contract leave studying and I have opted not to renew my contract. I am also leaving the Government service at this point. As such, I’m not constitutionally qualified to be the JMDA president,” he pointed out.

With regards to the job offer at the Spanish Town Hospital, Dr Dawes said he was employed as the Senior Registrar at the Spanish Town Hospital and that’s the job he left.

In relation to the death of the babies he said: “In no way at all is my resignation linked to the current outbreak affecting the neonatal ICU (intensive care unit) at the University Hospital and the Cornwall Regional Hospital. I will not comment on that, I save those comments for the current executive of the JMDA as I am just another doctor at this point.”

Kimberley Hibbert