Toddler Dies En Route for Care; Opposition Blames System

It’s a heartbreaking story that continues to raise serious questions about healthcare in San Pedro. Two-year-old Kaleel Nah died of dehydration last Wednesday while his parents desperately tried to get him emergency care. They visited the polyclinic twice, but when his condition worsened, they rushed him to Belize City by water taxi. Tragically, Kaleel didn’t make it; he passed away before the boat even reached Caye Caulker. Tonight, the Opposition is pointing fingers at the Briceño administration and the medical staff in San Pedro, saying the system failed this little boy.

 

Sheena Pitts, United Democratic Party

“There is no reason why Kaleel Zaxton Nah should have died in San Pedro. We hear now that it is as a result of dehydration. What are the symptoms of dehydration? How is that treated? Sunken eyes, maybe if they were trying to run an IV, they might not find a vein. But can a medical professional stop there? We cyant find the vein so we couldn’t run an IV. No. And I say no as firmly as I do because I too had a child who was in the hospital, extreme circumstances and as a parent, I stood by insisting that the doctor on call appeared to run a central line. Ladies and gentlemen, do you know what a central line is? When they can’t find the vein here, or here, or at the feet, they run it at the jugular or at the groin. A doctor ought to have been available to run a central line at the jugular or at the groin to save Kaleel’s life. The fact that he died is unacceptable. Not only the government is responsible, but also every medical professional who was there that night.”