Dear Editor,
I am appalled by the lack of professionalism among some public servants in our country. I am still shocked by the treatment meted out to me by a security guard stationed at the Upper Demerara Regional Hospital (Wismar Hospital), located at Blueberry Hill, Wismar Linden.
On August 6 some time between 2 and 3 pm, I was in a taxi heading to the mentioned hospital to seek medical attention. The car had just driven up to the gate of the hospital in preparation to enter the compound. The driver tooted his horn to alert the guard, and after some 15 to 20 seconds had elapsed, the visibly reluctant female security guard emerged from her hut. Most impolitely, she enquired from the driver, “Wah is yuh problem?”
The driver then responded, “How yuh mean wah is meh problem? Ah bring a sick patient to see the doctor; please open the gate.” By this time, the guard had peeped into the car and saw me sitting in the back seat.
To my surprise, she then declared, “Duh patient [me] you bring to the hospital in taxi? I see she come in here nuff time lately and she walk in good, good; suh wah she got to get drive in fuh today?”
By this time, a heated argument ensued between the taxi driver and the security guard.
Feeling unwell and much against my will, I exited the vehicle in a bid to avoid the argument from escalating further. I told the taxi driver it was ok and I would walk-in.
What really hurt me is the judgment cast upon me by the guard that, “I could walk-in.” No one knows how I was feeling on that day.
As I slowly moved away from the car unable to walk properly, the security guard had no compassion as she saw me struggling. Was the security guard a doctor to have made a pronouncement on my condition and determine my ability to walk or not? Had I collapsed, who would have taken responsibility? That security guard should know that there are times when people merely appear to be well and the next you learn of them is that they are no longer in the land of the living. Did she know what I was suffering from? Ailments such as hypertension and heart disease can make us appear to be well. but in a split second can end our lives.
Editor, I am still disturbed by this incident. I do believe that those in positions interacting with the public need a wake-up call. It is time they realise that they are called to serve the public and should be courteous and professional in their dealings at all times. They have a duty to be respectful to persons seeking various services in their fields of employment.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address provided)
