Health Ministry probing dengue-related death of 12-year-old boy

May 10, 2025 News

---

Kaieteur News- The Ministry of Health on Friday announced that it has launched a full investigation into the events leading up to the death of 12- year-old Lokesh Ibrahim, who passed away following complications reportedly related to dengue fever.

This publication understands that 12-year-old Ibrahim, a student of the Skeldon Line Path Secondary School in Region Six, died on Wednesday while receiving treatment at the New Amsterdam Hospital. Following his death, relatives took to social media to express their dissatisfaction in the manner Ibrahim was medially examined, claiming there was negligence on the part of the medical personnel at the Skeldon Hospital where he initially went for treatment.

In a statement, the ministry said, “We are deeply concerned by the circumstances surrounding this case and have therefore launched a full investigation into the events leading up to Lokesh’s death, including the handling of his case by medical personnel at the Skeldon Hospital.”

Promising the investigation will be “thorough and transparent”, and that any necessary actions or disciplinary measures will be taken based on the findings, the ministry revealed that a three-member team, comprising of Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Narine Singh; Internal Medicine Specialist, Dr. Shazeema Shaw and Mr. Shiek Amir, General Surgeon, have been appointed to lead this investigation.

Additionally, the Director General of the Ministry, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo and the Regional Health Officer of Region Six, Dr. Vineshri Khirodhar will be visiting the family of the deceased.

The Health Ministry further stated that it remains committed to safeguarding the health and well-being of all citizens and reiterates its commitment to full accountability in this matter.

A relative to the child, Jessica Rohit took to her Facebook page on Thursday and said, “It is with deep pain and heartbreak that I share the story of my beloved nephew Jayden’s passing—a vibrant little boy whose life was cut short due to what we believe is clear medical negligence at Skeldon Hospital.”

She explained that the boy and his sister were taken to the Skeldon Hospital on Saturday where he was reportedly “crying out in pain all over his body” while his sister was experiencing a fever.

“The doctor on duty gave Jayden just one Panadol, claimed he had no fever, and sent him home. No tests. No further examination. Only his sister was treated. The doctor also said she needed to run blood tests on the little girl but didn’t have the proper form, so they would need to return on Tuesday,” the relative explained.

After returning on Tuesday morning, the family revealed that they waited an hour before seeing the same doctor and that the boy was given a Panadol and an IV drip, and was told to wait for blood tests.

“That wait lasted about four hours. Around 2:00 p.m., they saw the same doctor again, who finally requested a dengue test. After about another hour, she confirmed that Jayden had severe dengue and ordered an ultrasound. After the ultrasound, he was admitted to Skeldon Hospital, and given some medication,” the family explained.

It was reported that some 30 minutes later, his condition worsened where he was then attended by doctors. The relative further disclosed that around 10:00pm that day, the hospital decided to transfer him to the New Amsterdam Hospital for treatment.

“The doctors there did their best and told my cousin that Jayden came in a critical state. They said he was not breathing on his own and they needed to do more,” the family member posted.

While there, the hospital informed his relatives that he needed to be further transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital due to his condition but while receiving treatment, he passed away.

The relative informed that, “He died from a brain edema (swelling in the brain), blood in his lungs, and kidney failure—complications of severe dengue that might have been prevented had he been taken seriously when he first arrived at the hospital four days earlier.”

“We are sharing Jayden’s story because he deserved better. A child in pain should never be turned away. There were multiple chances to save him. But delays, dismissals, and a lack of urgency cost Jayden his life. We are demanding accountability from Skeldon Hospital. We are calling for a full investigation into the treatment he received. No family should have to experience this again,” the relative expressed.

This publication understands that Ibrahim was laid to rest on Friday.

---

• Dr. Shazeema Shaw, Facebook, Lokesh Ibrahim, Skeldon Hospital, Skeldon Line Path Secondary School

---