P.G. Child botched health care and needs help

The family of an eight year old boy from Laguna Village claims that medication he was prescribed sent in a coma. Frumencio Chub pulled out of the coma but his life has changed dramatically. The humble family is need of help. News Five’s Jose Sanchez reports.

Jose Sanchez, Reporting

A couple from Punta Gorda came to Belize City to seek medical treatment for their eight-year-old son. They allege that one year ago he was a normal child until he became debilitated by a visiting medical practitioner.

Francisco Chub, Father of Frumencio Chub

Francisco Chub

“On the twenty-fourth of February, my son is under medication treatment, but the time being, the Cuban doctor in our hospital in P.G. changed the medication. But the one that Dr. Raju is giving; he is taking care of my son. The Cuban changed the medication and that damaged my son’s liver. My son has fits (convulsions). But since before the change of medication my son is not really sick every time; maybe one time monthly or every three months. When the medication change, then my son drop into sickness like this. So twenty-fourth of April, we went to P.G. Hospital where he spent twenty-four hours and then they sent us here to Belize City hospital. So when we reach here and they have the blood test, the doctor told me here that they overdose my son with medication; damaged the liver and that’s why my son gone into coma. I’m in a very critical situation right now. It is hurting me a lot. I got to help my son, but no money and I am asking assistance to the government or whoever can help me with my son. Right now we are in Belize City for check up and I don’t have money to up and down here. And up there in Toledo, we don’t have work.”

Jose Sanchez

“Well first thing I need to ask you, since you do need the help, do you have a phone number that any viewer may be able to reach you?”

Francisco Chub

“Yes my number is 636-5233; that is my phone number.”

Maria Chub

Maria Chub, Mother of Frumencio Chub

“Right now he can’t see, he can’t talk, he can’t walk and he can’t eat through his mouth before, but right now he’s starting to eat a little bit. So that hurts me a lot and every day I cry with him; sitting there with him and I can’t do my work at home. It is very hard. It is very rough. Give him attention every day—night and day—sitting down here to mine him. So that’s why it hurts me a lot.”

Jose Sanchez

“Did you report this incident to the Director of Health Services, Dr. Michael Pitts, or anyone in the Ministry of health for that matter?”

Francisco Chub

“No not as yet because I mi try to help myself, but right now it’s one year from this April this happen to me. I arrived on twenty-eight of April in Belize City Hospital—I stayed there for over a month. And right now I was up and down in Belize City for check up and I can’t take it no more because my son is very ill.”

Frumencio Chub

Jose Sanchez

“Are you going to pursue any legal action also? Have you spoken to the doctor who told you it was an overdose and that you should go see a lawyer for example?”

Francisco Chub

“Well the people told me I should contact the legal aid here in Belize City which I have never done but this time I am going to do it because it is very hard for me and I have children going to primary school and right now I am like this.”

The family needs financial assistance to help their son and because they don’t have the money, they had to return by bus to PG this afternoon. Reporting for News Five, Jose Sanchez.

If you would like to help the Chub family with medical expenses you can call Francisco at 636-5233or you can contact the Channel 5 newsroom.