Dear Editor,
I was the medical doctor in Bartica during the period January-September 1989, and was responsible for spearheading the attempt to get the operating theatre functional. I did the first operation there: a lower segment caesarian section, before being transferred to West Demerara Hospital. I now reside in the USA.

I enjoyed my stay in Bartica, The crime rate was almost non-existent. It was said that you could sleep with your doors open.

I was appalled to learn about the attack on the nurses at the Bartica Hospital a few years ago by a mad gunman, where the nurses on duty had to hide in a closet. Also frustrating was the ‘Bartica Massacre.’ Now I read about an attack on my good friend Mr Miller. Mr Miller was one of the most friendly and hospitable guys in Bartica, and was the driving force behind the Bartica Regatta. I always recall Mr Miller calling me up to the Regatta Pavilion whenever I jogged by. Those were the good days.

I do not want to pass judgement, but from what I read it seems that a law enforcement officer was totally in the wrong about the incident at Mr Miller’s nightclub.

The question I want to ask the powers that be is, is there ever any justice in Guyana? Crimes and murders are committed, police brutality is commonplace, and nothing seems to be resolved. After a month we forget, and the system remains the same. Where is the Minister of Home Affairs in these cases around the country? Is he functional, or just a figurehead enjoying the perks of the office? Guyana, it seems, will remain an underdeveloped state when other countries are developing.

We go from bad to worse instead of better. It is just like the West Indies team: going nowhere far.

I am not sure if these incidents have any effect on the powers to be. Can they sleep at night knowing that they have been a failure at their job? I would hope at least that the Minister of Home Affairs would read my comments, and ask himself, where are we going as a nation?

Is there any incentive to make Guyana a better place? We have the resources, the skills but the powers that be are non-functional.

Yours faithfully,
Robert Ramkissoon