Joachim Duplessis is speaking out against a troubling experience that he says highlights the challenges faced by families with autistic children in the healthcare system.
Duplessis told St. Lucia Times that his daughter, Bella, recently encountered significant barriers while trying to secure a health card required by the Ministry of Equity.
As a result, he wants no other parent to endure a similar ordeal.
The situation began when Duplessis and Bella arrived at the La Clery clinic, the nearest facility to their home.
“We knew it would be noisy and overwhelming for Bella, but we hoped for the best,” Duplessis explained to st. Lucia Times.
However, upon arrival, he said they found the clinic packed and chaotic, making it clear that this was not a suitable environment for his daughter.
“Given her autism, we decided to wait until Sunday and drive up to Gros Islet health center, where we thought it would be quieter and more peaceful.”
Duplessis recalled that when they arrived at the Gros Islet clinic, the situation seemed promising with a calm environment.
He recounted that a compassionate nurse quickly attended to them, taking Bella’s vitals and assuring them that the doctor would be able to help. “The nurse was very kind,” Duplessis stated. “He understood our concerns and passed everything on to the doctor.”
However, the father said the optimism quickly faded when the doctor refused to see Bella. “She told us we should have gone to La Clery,” Duplessis said,
“I explained that we chose Gros Islet because of Bella’s autism, but the doctor wouldn’t budge. It was upsetting.”
Duplessis emphasised that there was no justification for turning away a patient, especially a child who merely needed a routine check-up.
He explained that after he expressed frustration to the compassionate nurse, another young doctor stepped in.
“He was understanding and kind enough to see us,” Duplessis recalled. “In less than five minutes, he assessed Bella and signed the necessary paperwork. That was all we needed.”
In response to Duplessis’s comments, the medical team at the Gros Islet clinic told St. Lucia Times that the claims are simply false and untrue.
The team denied any wrongdoing.
“We never deny anyone treatment or care when they visit the clinic. In Bella’s situation, the misunderstanding occurred regarding the signage of the paperwork for the Ministry of Equity on her behalf.”
The medical team emphasised that a nurse attended to Bella upon her arrival and noted that the issue stemmed from a procedural requirement.
“This should only be done in the district the child is from because that’s where all her details are located” the team explained,
The team added that the doctor who ultimately assisted Bella only took a chance to help the frustrated parent.
PHOTO: Bella and her mother, Ronata
They should allocate a quiet room for autistic children in every health center an clinic on island!….
This I must say is lies, many times I have brought person’s to the Gros Islet clinic and the doctor open with that same thing if you are not from the area you have to go especially if it is not an emergency problem. I don’t know what that person is trying to do by calling the parents liars but I have gone through it myself. If you are not coming to do a test or bleeding you be turned away. Even when you need to see a dentist you get that same treatment
The clinic and staff are now covering up for the doctor. I do hope that she has the doctor’s name. The ministry should investigate and fire that lady doctor. We The tax payers are the ones who are paying her salary. It is time that we hold these people accountable for their actions.
.“This should only be done in the district the child is from because that’s where all her details are located” the team explained” that’s some bullc right there! Further saying the helpful doc took a chance? A chance at what, a lottery ticket? This is 2024 and you are implying that’s patients records are not in a online database….wasn’t that the health records digitization project some years ago?
The doctor who refused to help should be investigated and fired. This story doesn’t add up. How do you refuse medical attention to a citizen who is autistic? Its the 21st century and you mean to say, that people’s medical records are not in an electronic database where it’s accessible to every medical personnel? So what if it was a life or death situation that happened when the family was in Gris Islet and decided to rush to the nearest clinic? This story doesn’t add up. Surely the clinic is covering up for the doctor. She should be fired. The family should take this to the highest level to make an example of the female doctor. Pure ridiculousness. Where is the ministry of health to make a statement? No wonder the country is in such a state and citizens have to fly to nearby countries for medical assistance. It’s a shame. And how is a doctor taking a chance to help someone in need? The medical and dental association should make an example of this doctor who clearly breached her oath to help a member of the public.
I bet that’s the same doctor whom I’ve heard about before … why are the other team members (whom I’ve been told are much more helpful and professional than she is) helping her cover up?
THAT’S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN
A GETTO CRIMINAL HOLE IS
CHOSEN OVER THE CASTRIES
HEALTH CENTER.
MAY GOD HAVE MERCY.
The explanation given by the polyclinic is bullocks as the young doctor was still able to pull through for them. However, these situations happen so we can assess our healthcare and improve
Good stuff and informative.
We must expose the wrong in our society and solve our problems ..Too many non Visionary people are learning the Heads..thank you for sharing this with us..
Most doctors on this island a just in it for the money, the prestige, or both. Unless you come from money or a big name family, a lot of them treat you like a second class citizen. There are a few exceptions but the majority of them are not really in the career for great reasons.
On another note, we need to start taking the needs of autistic children and to a degree adults, more seriously. This isn’t just down to the medical community but most people who work in a public sector, like teachers and government officials. Proper training which encompasses an understanding of the disorder to how to manage autistic persons should be included in most of these positions.
St. Lucia in general seems to have a deficit of compassion. We need to do better.
I smell cover up a mile away and that’s part of so many problems we have in this country?
Every establishment you go to in st lucia you get treated according to who you are some of them act like they doing you a favor some of them acts as high and mity its ridiculous
More compassion and sensitivity must be shown in the Healthcare system by our health care leaders Especially when you dealing with disable, elder or people with autism. My brother is autistic and that’s the last thing I would want to happen or I might loose my mind.
What in the world is going on in St. Lucia??? – granted the system may prefer for you to be seen in your area. However, there should be exceptions to the rule – for a person with autism he/she should have been seen at a location which is best suited for their issue (s). Perhaps some of your healthcare staff need more training in order to understand how to deal with varied healthcare needs as well as development issues in patients. Honestly, some of you will NEVER be able to work any place outside of St. Lucia.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave. Although autism can be diagnosed at any age, it is described as a “developmental disorder” because symptoms generally appear in the first 2 years of life.
Where is the ministry of health in all this, I sincerely hope there will be a statement about this incident.
I don’t believe all doctors behave this way but this lady needs a good dose of Reality Check on how to deal with differently abled people.
Tanto tanto my lady