KINGSTON, Jamaica – In a statement issued first on his Instagram account, Prime Minister Andrew Holness says his heart goes out to the family and loved ones of young mother Jodian Fearon.

The pregnant Fearon died after she was refused treatment at one of the island’s hospitals.

“I have received a preliminary briefing from Minister of Health, Dr Christopher Tufton on the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of a mother after giving birth.

“My heart goes out to the family and loved ones of young Jodian Fearon,” Holness said.

The prime minister then offered all necessary support from the Government to Fearon’s family at this “critical time.”

“Minister Tufton has assured me that a thorough investigation of the matter has been undertaken, including a review of all established protocols in and between the public and private healthcare systems to identify any possible general system weaknesses or specific operational breakdowns in the handling of this case,” the prime minister said.

In closing his comments of the tragic passing of Fearon, Holness said: “We are aware that the COVID-19 epidemic is placing additional strain on our resources and increasingly complicating our response systems and daily lives, however, as a people, we must never allow the epidemic to Cause us to lose sight of our humanity.”