Way clear for suit in HIV breastfeeding case

Barbara Gayle, Justice Coordinator

Attorney-at-law Chukwuemeka Cameron has been given the go ahead to file a negligence suit against the Attorney General and the South East Regional Health Authority.

The suit relates to an alleged breastfeeding of a baby by a mentally-ill HIV positive patient at the Victoria Jubilee Hospital in 2011.

Cameron said he had written several letters to the hospital, after the incident asking for medical records but got no response until Monday.

He explained that he went to the Supreme Court this year and applied for a declaration that it was a breach of the claimant’s constitutional rights and the protection of life guaranteed by the constitution.

Justice Marjorie Cole-Smith granted him the declaration and ordered hospital authorities to deliver the medical records within 21 days.

However, he said the hospital didn’t deliver the records within the specified time.

So he went to court and took out contempt of court proceedings against hospital personnel.

Cameron said the hospital delivered the medical records after the filing was done and so he now has to go back to the court to discontinue the contempt of court proceedings.

However, he said he plans to apply for legal costs.

The attorney-at-law said he has 21 days in which to file the negligence suit.

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