KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Victoria Jubliee Hospital (VJH) says the parents of the 14-year-old mother had given consent for her inclusion in the hospital’s recent Christmas Day recognition at the hospital.

State Minister in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Juliet Cuthbert Flynn, who is responsible for maternal health, along with private sector partners, on Monday made their annual visit to the hospital to surprise mothers who gave birth on Christmas Day with care packages.

However, the inclusion of the young mother in the programme, which included photo opportunities of Cuthbert Flynn and sponsors with the child, triggered backlash on social media, with the organisers accused of being insensitive.

In a press release, the health ministry stated that Cuthbert Flynn was unaware of the mother’s age at the time while the hospital advised that the girl’s mother gave consent to her participation.

“The hospital has further advised that all the necessary protocols were triggered, as the young mother has been an active participant in its teenage clinic, where mothers 10-17 years old are given antenatal care,” the ministry said.

“These young mothers are required to make a report to the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse and the clinic partners with the VJH Social Work Department and the Women’s Centre as part of the standard of care for these cases,” it added.