On what should have been her son’s sixth birthday, Nathalie Caseley yesterday stood once again in front of the Ministry of Health seeking justice for him.
Almost two years ago, on December 11th, 2013, four-year-old Jaden Mars died at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) after he was administered an overdose of anesthetic.
The child, who had been taken to the hospital for the treatment of a cut tongue, suffered several heart crashes before succumbing to a pulmonary embolism.
Since his death, Caseley has been on a crusade for justice. For almost two years, with the support of members of the public but often on her own, she has held several protests calling for “Justice for Jaden Mars.”
Yesterday’s protest was spurred by her inability to reach a settlement with GPH or secure an audience with the Minister of Public Health Dr George Norton.
Speaking with Stabroek News in front of Norton’s Brickdam office, Caseley explained that she has been trying since September 12th to meet the minister. Having first been told that he would be available for a meeting in the first week of October, Caseley has found it difficult to secure an appointment despite numerous calls to his office.
“They told [me] the first week in October is when he was available. When I called to confirm, they said something came up and to call back. I called the Tuesday, the Wednesday, the Thursday and the Friday, yet they still can’t give me a date to meet the minister. Today is Jaden’s birthday, so I decided to come,” she explained.
Caseley is feeling particularly disappointed by Norton, who had previously offered her support.
“You are the person, minister, who witnessed my son’s post-mortem. You were the one who said that every organ was in perfect condition prior to him visiting the institution. Why can’t you be here now to say to me, ‘Ms. Caseley, as promised to you on the campaign trail, I am using my good office to discipline these persons? [And] I am willing to settle this matter and ease your distress?’” she questioned.
Caseley further believes that recent comments from the minister about a settlement offered are geared to making her seem like the “bad guy.”
“The impression the minister is giving is as though they offered a settlement and they wish that I would take it and I’m not. They offered a settlement, we objected to some of the conditions but then replied with three letters saying yes we will settle. They are yet to reply to that,” she added.
She explained that the third letter was sent over four months ago. She is also incensed at having to hear from the media that doctors involved in her son’s case were reportedly disciplined.
“If doctors were disciplined, then you need to engage me and let me know the persons that were disciplined. It’s not the media child that died, it’s my child that died. If you disciplined them, that’s a feather in your cap, you should be proud of yourself and you should engage not only me but my lawyer,” she said.
Caseley, who has promised not to visit her son’s grave until she has secured him justice, said others who have lost loved ones in the public healthcare system are hoping that she gets justice so they can feel that they have a responsive administration, which can offer them some security.
“If they are serious about providing better healthcare, then they need to deal with me properly and stop being afraid that if they settle with me others will come forward seeking settlement. They may forgive you; it is not about what happened before you were in power but about what you are doing now that you are in power,” she said.
Caseley stressed that her actions are not about money. “I just need them to do what they have to do. If these people caused my child’s death, then why you can’t take them before the court, [and] discipline them like the law permits you to?” she questioned
“All I wanted in the beginning was an acknowledgement from GPHC that they caused the death of Jaden Mars. They did not do that and I took Norton’s advice and took GPHC to court. My investments cannot be repaid; I took a year no pay leave and pumped money into material, such as jerseys, to make persons aware of my cause, and every time I do something on behalf of Jaden it’s time I’m taking away from my other children. It is not about money, it is about a principle. It is time people start being held accountable. I am not after a particular doctor or nurse, I am fighting a system—a system that is costing people their lives on a daily basis,” Caseley said.
