KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) says it is “sickened” by the “gruesome” incident in which it says the bodies of two newborn babies, or neonates, went missing from the Kingston Public Hospital and were later found among stray dogs in downtown Kingston.

In a release today, the PNP said the “horrific incident reveals an unspeakable lack of care and mismanagement of the hospital systems which warrant the ultimate sanctions”.

The Opposition also called into question the role of Dr Patrece Charles Freeman in investigating the incident, as she is a director of the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA), under whose watch the KPH falls, and thus, “would be investigating a matter for which her board had direct oversight responsibility”.

Opposition Spokesperson on Health Dr Dayton Campbell argued that her appointment was “highly inappropriate and the results of any investigation carried out under her leadership could not be taken seriously as the fact of Dr Charles Freeman’s membership should disqualify her as it breached the principle of natural justice and fairness”.

“Consequently, the party strongly objects to the appointment of a director of the SERHA Board, Dr Charles Freeman as the sole inquirer in this scandalous mess,” said the statement from the party.

Campbell further argued that: “This is tantamount to investigating one’s self. We believe that the investigation should be done independent of the members of SERHA and by persons who are so qualified in the area of the subject matter, including the use of forensic technology.”

In addition, the spokesperson asked for the number of neonates that would have died in 2017 and 2018 to be disclosed to the public.

“The Opposition recognises how difficult this must be for the grieving families who having lost their ‘bundles of joy’ are now unable to be dignified with a proper burial, we offer our sympathies and ask for justice to be served to prevent any such recurrence,” expressed Campbell.