Sister of Late Jennifer Lovell Accuses WRH of Negligence 

Dr. Glenda Lovell, the sister of the late Jenny “I Love It” Lovell, is accusing physicians at the Western Regional Hospital of negligence. Dr. Lovell makes the accusation in a letter dated July 25 and addressed to Health and Wellness Minister Kevin Bernard, CEO Dr. Julio Sabido, and Director of Hospital Services, Dr. Jorge Polanco.

The beloved Belizean icon was found dead in her Belmopan home on June 28th, 2024. She was 73.

According to the medical certificate of causes of death, Jenny died of a massive acute myocardial infarction.

In her letter, Dr. Lovell details the chain of events beginning when Jenny first arrived at the W.R.H. alive to when her body was taken there.

“Jennifer was brought to the hospital on the evening of June 27, disoriented and in acute respiratory failure, her oxygen saturations were in the 80s. Standard of care for patients in respiratory failure is to diagnose and treat expeditiously. Jennifer was in extremis and should have been admitted to the ICU and treatment and diagnostic procedures should have been initiated. Instead, a few labs were drawn, a chest Xray was done and oxygen was administered. She was never ruled out for a myocardial infarction nor a pulmonary embolus which should have been at the top of any competent physician’s diagnostic concern.  A few hours later, after her saturations had improved, she was discharged from the hospital with NO reason found for her profound respiratory failure!!”

Dr. Lovell, who is an internist in the United States, says that Jenny was not asthmatic, on drugs and “never smoked in her life. ” She said, “Jennifer did not have asthma, COPD, was not on drugs and had never smoked in her life. Any competent physician would have questioned WHY she was in respiratory failure and admitted her for further diagnostic procedures and treatment.” Instead, she was discharged into the care of a friend who is also a hospital worker.

According to Dr. Lovell, that friend called back the hospital 15 minutes later after Jenny was discharged to state that “Jennifer was weak and that her oxygen levels were now in the 70s!!!” She was advised to take Jenny back to the hospital, but that did not occur, “a dead body was brought back to the hospital for pronouncement.”

“My sister was a Belizean icon who gave her time and talents to the people of Belize, it is sad and horrifying that she was treated this way and I would like to know that this kind of behavior will not stand without consequences.”

Dr Lovell is demanding answers to these questions:

WHY was Jennifer discharged without a proper diagnosis for her profound respiratory failure?

WHY did the hospital not immediately send an ambulance to get my sister when they were informed her saturations were in the 70s?

WHY was her family not informed that Jennifer was severely ill and likely dying?

Most importantly, the family would like to know WHY Ms C. did not immediately return Jennifer to the hospital. She is supposedly a health care provider and should know that oxygen saturations in the 70s is not compatible with life. WHY DID SHE NOT RETURN MY SISTER TO THE HOSPITAL???

Dr. Lovell is demanding a “full investigation into the egregious negligence that befell my sister and would like the physicians who perpetrated this malpractice to be disciplined.”

News Five reached out to Dr. Jorge Polanco for comment. Dr. Polanco told News Five, ” the Ministry has already formally responded to the letter from Dr Lovel.” When asked how the matter was addressed and if the allegations were confirmed, Dr Polanco said, ” I have to ensure confidentiality of the deceased and her family, but you can ask Dr Lovel. Thanks.”

 

The article was updated at 5:45 p.m. local time to reflect Dr. Polanco’s responses.