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‘Cops detain herbalist ‘Sister Lynn’ after woman dies at clinic

October 18, 2011 | By KNews | Filed Under News
Source - Kaieteur News

Self proclaimed herbalist Lurline Smith

Popular self-proclaimed herbalist, Lurline Smith, called ‘Sister Lynn’ was in custody last night after a 61-year-old woman collapsed and died while undergoing treatment for tuberculosis at Smith’s Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara home.

Julie Mohabir, of St. Stephen’s Street, Charlestown, reportedly passed away around 14:00 hrs yesterday, shortly after ingesting an herbal concoction that Smith had given her.

Police subsequently detained the herbalist and a male assistant who resides at Norton Street, Lodge. They also took away a large bottle containing the concoction that Mohabir was given.

Kaieteur News understands that the herbalist has told investigators that Mohabir, who indicated that she was suffering from TB, visited her around 13:00 hrs. ‘Sister Lynn’ reportedly gave her an herbal tea (called ‘double D’)

About half an hour later, the patient was observed vomiting and was placed on a bed, where she died.

‘Sister Lynn’s clinic

A brother of the victim said that Mohabir had been suffering from tuberculosis for about two years and was receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital. She had also sought treatment at a private doctor but was getting no relief.

“She been to (doctor’s name given) but like the treatment didn’t help,” the brother said. He said that yesterday, his sister indicated that she would go to ‘Sister Lynn’ for help.

A female relative who accompanied Mohabir to ‘Sister Lynn’ told Kaieteur News that on arrival, Mohabir informed ‘Sister Lynn’ that she was suffering from tuberculosis and showed the herbalist a yellow card that she had been given at the GPHC.

“She say that people does come to her and she does treat them for that,” the relative said.
According to the relative, Mohabir gave ‘Sister Lynn’ an initial fee of $4,000, and the herbalist indicated that Mohabir was required to pay some $60,000 for the entire treatment, which would last some three months. The treatment would allegedly include injections.

The relative said that ‘Sister Lynn’ then gave Mohabir a glass containing a liquid, and told the patient that the liquid would make Mohabir ‘throw up’ the mucous from her body.

After drinking the liquid, Mohabir reportedly sat on a bench outside the treatment room. “I ask she how she feel and she say that she feeling upset, and she ask to lie down in the room.”

According to the relative, Mohabir indicated that she was ‘feeling bad’ and wanted to ‘throw up.’ She said that ‘Sister Lynn and a man who was assisting the herbalist then brought a bucket into which Mohabir vomited. Mohabir reportedly continued to say that she felt unwell and ‘Sister Lynn’ brought a fan into the room.

The relative alleged that Mohabir was sitting on the bed and ‘Sister Lynn’ was holding Mohabir’s shoulders as she vomited when the patient suddenly slumped forward.”

“She (‘Sister Lynn’) was talking to she (Mohabir) and getting no response and then she say, ‘the lady pass away.”

Kaieteur News was told that the herbalist then contacted the police, while the relative contacted Mohabir’s daughter. The relative said that police who arrived at the scene took away a large bottle containing a liquid.

‘Sister Lynn’ and a male assistant were taken to the Providence Police Station, while Mohabir’s body was taken to the Lyken Funeral Parlour.

Lurline Smith, called ‘Sister Lynn,’ advertises her business (Sister Lyn’s Indigenous Herbal Clinic) on two local television channels and on Facebook. She reportedly has a lucrative clientele.

But Health officials have repeatedly cautioned the public about seeking medical treatment from herbalists and other uncertified persons.

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