Dr Jephthah Ford remembered as a man of the people

Alexia Ford, daughter of prominent physician Dr Jephthah Ford, was plunged into mourning having witnessed her father take his last breath.

THE STAR understands that Ford died sometime Sunday morning. The police's Corporate Communications Unit said his passing is being ruled as a sudden death.

"My dad just died right in my arms, I am ruined completely," Alexia said in a tweet.

She tearfully told THE STAR "I'm so sad right now. Everybody is sad and I don't know why this had to happen. I really just can't. I just want everyone to know my dad was an amazing person and a very good man. He was just someone who puts everybody before himself."

Culture Minister Olivia Grange said that Ford was like a brother to her and a man who "truly cared about our people and their well-being" in a tribute to the late physician. "I am shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of Dr Jephthah Ford. My good friend!" she posted on Facebook.

High-profile medical cases

Ford was actively involved in many high-profile medical cases, with one of the most recent involving Jodian Fearon, the young mother who died due to birth-related complications at the Spanish Town Hospital last year.

In addition to his contribution to the medical field, Ford also dabbled in the political arena when he contested the 1989, 1993 and 1997 general elections for the People's National Party. He vied for the St Andrew North West seat but was defeated by the Jamaica Labour Party's Derrick Smith on all three occasions.

President of the People's National Party Mark Golding called Ford a "champion for social justice".

"He was also a community physician par excellence. His calling went beyond a distinguished medical field, and he achieved an uncommon convergence of professionalism, advocacy and public service," Golding said in a press statement. He said that Ford was known for his courage and indefatigable commitment to providing medical services to all.

"He was also courageous in speaking out on matters which affected the rights of the people, even when they were sensitive, unpopular and controversial," he said.