In a country where violent and accidental death is, unfortunately, a daily occurrence, there are still some cases that can move us emotionally.

One such was reported in THE STAR on Friday, with the headline 'Baby 'waits' to death'. It is hard to believe that anyone would read about the death of two-year-old Ashley Lindo in the arms of her mother Jillian Thompson and not be moved.

As was reported, Ashley died while waiting for treatment at the Bustamante Hospital for Children on October 14. Her only child's final words were "mommy help me", three words which are sure to haunt her forever.

The response of the hospital's CEO, Beverley Needham, could not have helped at all. Needham told THE STAR "it is easy to point fingers. Some persons feel as if they have to blame someone and not themselves".

While we expect that the hospital will not wish to implicate itself in the child's death in any way, a more conciliatory tone, still without accepting responsibility, would have been better. Words do help in the grieving process, as clinical psychologists understand, and these were not on the healing side.

Still, the extensive waiting time indicates that there is insufficient staff at the island's only medical facility dedicated solely to children. While wishes or a snap of the fingers will not miraculously improve the situation, we would suggest that the health authorities look to establishing another such facility in another region of the island.

After all, there are many who take a long journey with their children to endure a long wait for medical attention.