Doctor becomes 6th person to die from the illness
Health authorities have confirmed the death of a second medical practitioner as a result of the Swine Flu virus and are urging high risk persons who have contracted the disease to seek urgent medical attention.
The Ministry of Health said that Dr. Denise Duncan Goffe, who was in her 60s, had died from H1N1-related issues. In 2010 she had been awarded the special commemorative Diamond jubilee medal for her contribution to the development of health and emergency services.
She worked in the public health sector for over 30 years. She retired from her post as director, Health Service Planning and Integration in the Ministry of Health in 2014.
Dr Goffe was later employed to the South East Regional Health Authority as Clinical Quality Assurance Officer.
Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton, in a condolence message said “this is a difficult time for the entire team at the Ministry of Health.
“Dr Goffe was more than a colleague, she was family having spent decades in the public health sector. Her achievements are many and we are grateful to have had the opportunity to work with her on something that we are all passionate about – impacting the lives of the ordinary man through the provision of quality health care. It is never an easy thing to lose a loved one. We will lean on each other for support as we come to terms with this loss,” Dr Tufton said.
Dr Duncan Goffe, who died Saturday at the University Hospital of the West Indies was diagnosed with Influenza A(H1N1), or swine flu, but also had other chronic medical illnesses.
Acting chief Medical Officer, Dr Winston De La Haye, said she was in the high-risk group as she had other complications.
De La Haye is urging people with flu-like symptoms especially those with other complications like high blood pressure, diabetes and heart problems to immediately seek medical attention.
“This is not the time to sit by and watch things,” he said.
She is the second medical doctor and sixth person to die after contracting Swine Flu.
