Newborn’s death shatters couple’s hearts

Browns Hall, St Catherine resident old Lemar Thompson said he is never one to cry but for the past few days his eyes are barely dry. The 21-year-old and his partner, Peta-Gay Atkins, were looking forward to meeting their first-born, Jamari, for whom they had big dreams.

Their world was turned upside down, however, as baby Jamari died on October 12, nine days after he was born at the Spanish Town Hospital in St Catherine.

"Every year, on October 3, we are going to have an emotional breakdown," said Thompson as he struggled to come to terms with the loss of his son.

Atkins said she had a normal pregnancy and was due to give birth on October 7. She went into labour on October 3, and despite the pain, she was excited to meet the bundle of joy that was growing inside her.

The script, however, did not go as planned. Atkins, 21, had a terrible time in the delivery room.

"I was on the bed in the labour room and felt like the baby was coming I was calling out the nurse for help but no one came. I feel like I wanted to push so I push because I don't know what else to do. I was feeling the urge to push for about an hour but the baby wasn't coming, and no one was paying me any mind. They eventually came and told mi not to push," Atkins said.

The first-time mom developed complications which meant that an emergency C-section was required. When baby Jamari was born, he did not cry. Atkins said the doctors told her that the baby suffered brain and other organ damage because he wasn't getting enough oxygen. Their son spent the nine days hooked to machines as health workers tried to save his life. Sadly, his tiny heart stopped beating on October 12.

"I believe that if they had paid enough attention to her, our son would be alive today because everything was normal," Thompson said.

"I was more than looking forward to my son. Mi never did a expect this at all," continued the young man who disclosed that they have two barrels filled with clothes and other necessary items for the newborn.

Thompson, who was looking forward to the day when Jamari would be born, said he dreamt of having the baby sleeping on the bed next to him. However, he only got to touch him once, that was when he was in the nursery fighting for his life. The next time that the young dad saw his son, he was staring at his tiny body.

"He was my son and I will always love him. Tears just a run outta mi eyes when mi see mi son. Mi nuh really cry in front a people, enuh, because mi always say is a sign of weakness but mi just couldn't hold it," Thompson said.

Contacted for comment, Jacqueline Ellis, CEO of the Spanish Town Hospital, offered her sympathy to the couple. She also encouraged clients of the hospital who have issues with its service delivery to contact the patient's affair department.

"We want the general public to know that we have a complaint mechanism in the hospital and they should feel free to contact us at anytime regarding complaints. I am not aware of this particular matter, but I will definitely have it investigated," she said.