Dear Editor,

I refer to the continuing media coverage of the police torture matter and the medical doctor involved.

He is being criticized by all in addition to the Kaieteur News which continues to besmirch his character and integrity. He is being accused of professional misconduct; he is being castigated for not properly treating a patient (face covered) who was taken to him by two police officers. The doctor was hurriedly requested to leave his home to go to Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station to examine a patient with first degree burns on his lower abdomen and his pelvic area. He was examined and given a prescription for the appropriate drugs and verbally referred to a hospital.

This doctor was in a police station not a clinic.

This doctor was castigated by the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) which body receives lucrative sums of money from the United Nations to see that human rights are not violated. Patients in hospitals die after repeatedly being mistreated, yet we have not heard from the GHRA.

This doctor was dragged before the Medical Council where he admitted and apologized that there had been some measure of professional misconduct but was more concerned to have the patient hospitalized. This kind doctor treats patients at his home without money on many occasions, no praise to him, as it is his nature. This doctor who faithfully served the government for almost 17 years without flaw or complaint and who exercised his professional skills treating police officers and prisoners – advising, helping. The fact that he examined and treated women at the family clinic in Georgetown and elsewhere is not being talked about. One mistake in 17 years? May we refer to the Bible where Jesus told the crowd (when they wanted to stone the woman to death) “Who is without sin cast the first stone.” May I ask which medical practitioner in this country has not made one mistake in 17 years? May I ask the GHRA what are they doing about police brutality? May I ask the GHRA what are they doing about wife-beating, rape and other forms of domestic violence? Should they not intervene or is this not violating human rights? Should they not assist at some level?

What are the functions of the GHRA and what are they doing with the monies that they receive? In essence this doctor treats a patient who was burnt or tortured and was referred to a hospital, though not by paper. Here was a case of emergency. He advised sending the patient to a hospital.

Dr Leslie Ramsammy with patience and understanding is being very cautious in making a decision, whatever that will be. This doctor will certainly abide and respect that Minister’s decision the same way he has always respected his patients including the young torture victim for whom he did his best in a police station. I thank the doctor for the good work  he has done for his people and his country.

Yours faithfully,
D Chan