Tufton says politicisation of deaths of premature babies at VJH unfortunate

Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton has described as unfortunate what he says are attempts to politicise the deaths of 24 premature babies at the Victoria Jubilee Hospital (VJH) in June.

Tufton was responding to questions posed by journalists following a contract signing and ground-breaking ceremony on the grounds of the May Pen Hospital in Clarendon on Friday.

Tufton dismissed comparisons with the 2015 incident involving neonatal deaths, under the People's National Party administration.

At that time, 18 infants died during a reported infection outbreak at two hospitals over a three-month period.

Former health minister, the PNP's Dr Fenton Ferguson, who was at the helm of the health portfolio at the time of the 2015 tragedy, referenced the current deaths while speaking at a political event in Portland Eastern earlier this week, framing the issue as a case of political irony.

"I remember when I warned that it was bad politics to bring politics into health and education. They didn't listen, but karma is a hell of a thing, and while I stand still regretting the loss of those eighteen babies (in 2015), we are now seeing a thirty per cent increase on that number."

Responding to Ferguson's comments, Tufton maintained that the current situation was being mischaracterised.

"It's a little different from what people are comparing it with. It's not a matter of infection in the hospital, it's a matter of premature births as outlined by the report and the chief medical officer, and it's unfortunate that people are using it as a political ploy," said Tufton.

He added: "I saw former minister Fenton Ferguson making a comment recently...and I think otherwise, he's a nice person, but the comment was another unfortunate comment. I don't know how he could demonstrate that lack of judgement and emotional intelligence by speaking about karma involving the death of babies. I'm at a loss for words," said Tufton.

Acknowledging the tone of the political season, Tufton said he recognised Ferguson’s attempt at a “one-up” on the government, but argued that the effort was both misguided and unproductive.

"And it confirms, in my mind, why his judgement would have been so misguided when he was asked to leave the portfolio. We don't compare these things. We look at challenges, we solve the challenges, we find the corrections where necessary," said Tufton.

Tufton said he remained unfazed, asserting that he would not be swayed by what he characterised as political distractions.

- Olivia Brown

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