Health officials say prematurity is the primary cause behind the recent deaths of at least 24 newborns at Victoria Jubilee Hospital (VJH), Jamaica’s largest maternity facility, since the start of June.
In a statement issued Thursday, the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) acknowledged heightened public concern and confirmed it had launched an investigation into the spike in neonatal fatalities. Preliminary data revealed that most of the affected babies were born prematurely, with underlying conditions that significantly increased their risk of serious illness.
The hospital’s surge plan was activated to manage the influx of critically ill newborns, and SERHA says all steps were taken to care for the patients.
Crucially, the authority confirmed that there is no evidence of an infectious outbreak at the hospital—an early concern that arose when reports of the deaths began circulating earlier this week.
“There has been an increase in admissions to the Special Care Nursery in June compared to previous months and last year,” SERHA noted. “With this increase came a rise in premature and low birth weight babies, which adds to the vulnerability.”
The regional authority, in collaboration with the Kingston & St Andrew Health Department and the Ministry of Health & Wellness, will continue its public health investigation. Officials say the final report will be released to the public once completed.
SERHA also outlined several measures already in place at the hospital to help manage risk, including infection prevention protocols, additional staff support, and capacity reviews in the neonatal unit.
“We offer our sincere condolences to the families affected by these tragic losses,” the statement read. “We remain committed to the highest standards of care and safety across our facilities.”
The deaths, first reported earlier this week, reignited public debate around maternal and newborn health care in Jamaica, especially in light of similar incidents in recent years. Victoria Jubilee Hospital, which delivers thousands of babies annually, has previously come under scrutiny for neonatal outcomes and overcrowding.
The investigation continues.
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