The Eastern Regional Health Authority has issued a statement following the death of three-year-old Ariah Sheppard at the Toco Health Facility.

Initial media reports quoted the toddler’s family as criticizing the lack of a proper ambulance service for the area.

The ERHA says such a service is available to the area and stationed at the Grande Riviere Outreach Centre, with the retained services of an on-call driver.

It says around 5:20pm, a call was received from the child’s relative, who was advised to immediately call the Toco Accident and Emergency Department for an assessment and the dispatch of an ambulance.

It says after being informed that the child has been sick for six days, relatives were advised to have her treated at the Toco A&E.

According to the ERHA, while the Nurse attempted to reach an on-call ambulance driver, a Matelot resident contacted the A&E and alerted the Nurse that an off-duty staff member was on route with the child and a relative.

Because of this, no further effort was made to reach the On-Call Driver, who reported waiting about 30 minutes before visiting the family who informed him that the child was already taken for care.

The ERHA says little Ariah was immediately assessed when she arrived at the A&E unresponsive around 6:10pm, adding that while efforts were made to resuscitate her, she was pronounced dead at 6:59pm.