The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition has expressed profound sorrow over the passing of a 10-year-old student at the Jacmel Wellness Centre on Thursday, January 29th, 2026.
Dr Sharon Belmar-George, Chief Medical Officer, said, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, loved ones, classmates, teachers and members of the community who have experienced this unexpected loss. The Ministry of Health understands that this situation is heartbreaking and wants to express heartfelt condolences to the family during this difficult time.”
Following the incident, the Ministry has launched an internal investigation to determine the factors surrounding the level of care provided to the patient. Dr Belmar-George emphasised:
“At the Ministry of Health, we continue to make it a priority to ensure the care and well-being of every patient we serve on a daily basis. Therefore, following the recent incidents at the health facility, we have immediately launched an internal investigation to understand the factors surrounding the level of care provided to the patient. Currently, due to confidentiality, we cannot share more information on this patient.”
The Ministry has appealed to the public for understanding during this review.
“The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition asks for the cooperation and understanding as we undertake a thorough review of this recent situation. The Ministry wants to reassure the public that measures are put in place to ensure the continuous improvement of health services delivered to clients,” Dr Belmar-George stated.
Authorities have pledged that the investigation will be thorough and transparent, with the aim of safeguarding patient care and preventing future tragedies.