Neighbours of Christopher Phillip, the man who died on the grounds of the Port-of-Spain General Hospital last Wednesday, said he was taken to hospital in an ambulance from his home at Blundell Alley, Laventille, and was in no condition to stand far less walk. They are challenging claims by officials of the North West Regional Health Authority (NWRHA) that Phillip, 62, disappeared twice from the hospital after receiving medical attention.
Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said a report on the case showed that all protocols were followed at the hospital and Phillip received the best treatment from staff of the NWRHA.
However, residents in the community where Phillip had lived for ten years are claiming there was a cover up and are calling for an independent investigation. They said Phillip, who lived along, “died like a dog” last Wednesday.
Video of him writhing in pain on the lawn of the hospital’s car park was posted on Facebook and sparked national outrage. Eyewitnesses reported seeing two security guards carrying Philip out of the hospital and placing him on the ground in the car park. Both the NWRHA and the Ministry of Health are investigating the circumstances of his death.
One of Phillip’s neighbours, who identified herself as Cheryl, could not contain her emotions as she spoke fondly about the elderly man whom she described as a fancy dresser, a stickler for cleanliness and a hard worker who kept to himself.
He was affectionately called “Uncle”, “Neighbour” and “Cocoa Man” by residents, she said, and used to cut grass for people for a plate of food or a few dollars.
“When he fell ill, the ambulance picked up Christopher in front of his house wearing a pants he had messed in and he died with that filthy pants on. No doctor could tell me they attended to Christopher with that soiled pants. They had a right to clean the man,” she said.
“I strongly believe they never touched Christopher in that hospital because he had faeces on him and was probably smelling bad. I am terribly hurt and upset by that. I was moved to tears when I saw the video of him on the ground crying out in pain. You know why I feel it? Christopher lived alone and he died alone. I too live alone and it could have happened to me,” she said
Another neighbour, Garth Williams, said when Phillip fell ill at home he was in so much pain he could not move.
“But when I watched the video and heard him complaining of pains in his leg… how this man could have walked out?” he asked. “He could not even get up from the lawn where the security guards had placed him. Things are not adding up. Something is wrong.”
CEO of the NWRHA Sheldon Cyrus said the results of Phillip’s autopsy, which was done on Friday, will be revealed in the hospital’s final report on his death.
