Doctor suspended after woman's death, but her family is disappointed

By Tanzara Jackson    

 

The family of a former nurse at Percy Junor Hospital who died in a doctor's private office, has expressed disappointment following the ruling that was handed down by the Medical Council of Jamaica last month.

 

Melonie Grey Cohen died in the care of Dr. Mohammed Khan.

 

He was found guilty of acts of negligence and suspended for a year as a result of Ms. Grey Cohen's death at his private practice in February 2022.

 

Speaking with Radio Jamaica News, sister of the deceased, Dyan Grey, said the family acknowledged the outcome even though it was not officially shared with them.  

 

"Whilst we acknowledge the decision by the Medical Council of the suspend the responsible doctor, we are profoundly disappointed that the outcome was not shared with the family and of course our legal team. In my mind, the money or suspension feels more like a slap on the wrist when compared to the irreplaceable loss that we have suffered," she complained. 

 

Still, she said the family is grateful that some form of "rational consideration" was taken in the case, which she hopes will prevent future tragedies and "ensure no other family has to endure the pain that we have experienced". 

 

The relatives have also raised concerns about the police's refusal to participate in a post-mortem examination, as is customary when there is a sudden death.

 

In a statement dated February 10, 2022, released by the St. Ann Police, the family was informed that the body will be released as it did not meet the requirement for post-mortem by the Legal Medicine Unit.

 

Ms. Grey said the body was being held for five days prior, and the family had to conduct an autopsy privately. 

 

"The body was being held at the funeral home with whom the government has a contract, and so on day five, we were given a letter indicating that they were no longer interested in the body and that they were releasing the body to the family. Interestingly, when I ordered the private post-mortem, a member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force showed up. He was the one who handed me the burial order. It then begs the question, if the police was no longer interested, why did the police show up? Why were they interested in the private autopsy?" 

 

Dr. Khan, who was a consultant general surgeon at Annotto Bay Hospital, should be supervised by a senior surgeon for six months upon his return to practice, and this senior surgeon will then be asked to confirm his competence in accordance with the suspension order.

 

Additionally, the private facility in which he practiced should be certified by the appropriate unit of the Ministry of Health before he resumes.