Call for probe into clerk’s death

When apparently routine run-of-the-mill surgeries result in death — as was the case with the late Dawn Dolly — we should investigate it, whether it involves a private hospital  or the public health sector, Independent Senator Dr Eastlyn McKenzie said yesterday. As the reality of Dawn Dolly’s death sunk in, the Senate — led by Senate Opposition Leader Wade Mark and Independent Senator Eastlyn McKenzie — made a powerful call for a probe into Dolly’s death.

Dolly, who was 44, died at the St Clair Medical Centre after surgery for the removal of fibroids. As he concluded his tribute, Mark stated, “If I had my way, if I had the power — which I don’t have — I would cause a coroner’s inquest into the untimely demise of Dawn Dolly,” he said. “Too many citizens have perished in this country under mysterious circumstances, which in any decent and civilised society would have warranted an investigation into the circumstances into those deaths. Maybe the time has come for such an inquiry so we can spare friends, family and parents of such untimely developments in the future. I cast no aspersions, but justice demands nothing less,” he said.

McKenzie, “speaking her mind, soul and heart,” agreed with Mark and stressed the fact that Dolly died at a private institution should not insulate this institution from the same rigorous  inquiry to which public sector institutions are subjected. She noted that Dolly’s eldest brother, Kirk, broached the subject with her, with justification. “We think Dawn had gone to the best place — (a paying institution) and when it is a top of the line place, (we tend to say) ‘well it is okay yuh come dead there.’ I say that they need as much of an investigation. (Just) as we investigating baby deaths in Mt Hope, as we are investigating deaths in Port-of-Spain General Hospital, in Sangre Grande, in wherever.” She added the probe might produce information which could serve as a warning to our families about possible hazards.

It was Dawn’s day in the Senate yesterday, as the Upper House shut down after one and a half hours of paying tribute to the late Clerk of the Senate, adjourning to a date to be fixed because Senators were “in no mood” for “an accusing, adversarial” debate. As a result a private motion from Opposition Senator Robin Montano was not debated “as a mark of respect.” Senator Rennie Dumas became emotional as he spoke of his closeness to Dolly. “As I told someone yesterday (at the funeral) it is not everyday you get to see a big man cry,” he said.  Dumas, who said he was a schoolmate of Dolly’s both in primary and secondary school and a friend of the family, said Dolly grew up “a few yards away from his father’s house.” They were young teachers together and were members of the first Tobago executive of TTUTA, he said, adding, “She was vice-secretary when I was chairman,” he said.

Mark noted that Dolly was part of the first wave of professionals brought into the Parliament in an attempt to transform the agency. He said her rise should reinforce the lesson that someone can come from humble beginnings and achieve the “highest heights.” McKenzie recalled her first experience with Dolly in 1995, who as Clerk of the Senate administered the oath to all Senators. “I was so nervous, my hand was trembling. I couldn’t finish my name. I could  only write East...” McKenzie murmured (to Dawn). “I can’t write no more. And Dolly whispered, ‘Take a deep breath.”’ Senate President Dr Linda Baboolal, who said paying tribute to Dolly was one of the saddest tasks she had ever been called on to perform, mused, “Who could have foreseen that a routine procedure performed daily on dozens of women could have taken her life?” She said Dolly, who took very good care of her health, exercising and eating right, was a storehouse of knowledge on parliamentary procedure.

Independent Senator Prof Ken Ramchand said when people stated Dolly did not practise favouritism, it was because “she had the good manners and the caring to make everyone of us feel we were her favourite. Sometimes when I was putting our members to sleep, I would catch Dawn’s eyes and face, listening intently,” he recalled. He cited as an example of Dolly’s fierce devotion to the people’s business, her support of the “Meet-The-People’s-Tour” of the Independent Senators during the 18-18 stalemate. Joan Yuille-Williams stated that like a good teacher, Dolly took new MPs under her wing, “and followed you through the session,” providing a sense of security and comfort. Danny Montano said he had never heard her utter one partisan statement, while providing guidance and advice. “She always acted in a completely independent manner,” he said. Noble Khan and Parvatee Amolsingh-Mahabir also endorsed the sentiments expressed by their colleagues.