Planning Minister Mary King has said that government officials went into immediate action yesterday to save the life of a two-and-a-half-year-old baby in Laventille. She said the child was suffering from cerebral palsy, a group of disorders that could involve brain and nervous system functions such as movement, learning, hearing, seeing and thinking. The matter was brought to the attention of legislators by Independent senator Helen Drayton, during her contribution to yesterday's Senate debate on a private motion relating to the amendment of the Constitution. It was brought by Independent senator Subhas Ramkelawan.
Drayton said she "was fed up with politicians who vow to do better after another child is found dead. "Where is the Children's Bill? Where is the strengthening of the Children's Authority?" she questioned. She said T&T needed an institution that would work "to develop and help our children." Drayton said: "As we speak, there is a child in a home in Upper Laventille, who was born to a 13-year-old, the child is malnourished, (and) the child has scales all over his shrinking body."
She said unsuccessful efforts were made by a social body to get the Director of Family Services to approve the removal of that child in the face of his death. Senate leader, Minister in the Ministry of National Security Subhas Panday, later promised the Government's full assistance in providing the help for the child. At the end of yesterday's three-hour sitting, King spoke about the child's situation. "He is being under fed, he is anaemic at the moment, he is only nine pounds in weight at two-and-a-half-years old, so therefore he is in a very critical condition," King stressed.
She said there was an urgent need "to move and move the child." The child is staying with his mother and grandmother in Laventille. King said the Government was working very hard to ensure the child got attention last night. She was seen moving in and out of the Chamber during the short session to address the issue. She said she contacted Minister of the People and Social Development Glenn Ramadharsingh, "so we hope by the end of the evening we'll have something done."