Dear Editor,
It is indeed sad and regrettable that Nurses Week 2010 began with the devastating loss of the Saint Joseph Mercy Hospital to fire. This medical institution, a key part of our history for over six decades, is now smouldering in Kingston.
Mercy Hospital, as it was commonly known, provided impeccable service to both patients and relatives that visited the hospital. As a Guyanese it is painful to digest that another building of proud Guyanese heritage has once again been destroyed by fire. And as a Roman Catholic, it is even more disturbing to see another one of our institutions being extinguished. The Sacred Heart Church, Presbytery and School were destroyed by fire six years ago. And after embarrassing rounds of angst, pointless debates and emotional outbursts a new church is yet to be built.
I sincerely hope that as the Sisters of Mercy gradually recover from their tragic loss, that unyielding efforts will be made to rebuild the structure that once housed St Joseph Mercy Hospital, and reopen the doors of care to the sick and dying.
My prayers go out to the patients, relatives and staff of Mercy Hospital in this very trying time. May God give you all the strength and courage to deal with this most unfortunate situation.
Yours faithfully,
Richard Francois