Dear Editor,
I write today as an Amerindian of Region 9 out of concern for the shabby health services being provided by the Lethem Public Hospital.
Now that the elections are over I am beginning to realize that many of the things said to us in our community by PPP/C campaigners, before and during the elections campaign were propaganda to get our votes so that they could stay in office.
I am convinced of this because recently, I and my grandparents visited the hospital seeking medical assistance. After waiting for some time to see the doctor who was very polite, we were given prescriptions by him to take to the hospital pharmacy, only to be told by the pharmacist that the prescribed drugs were not available.
While talking to several patients who were waiting to see the doctor, I was informed that the hospital had been without basic drugs for the longest while. Editor, can this be fair to us?
What hurts more deeply is that my diabetic grandparents are left to suffer because of not being able to access their medication. These are old people who would have contributed, however small it may seem, to the cultural and other forms of development in this region. Where is the care and concern for our people?
What is funny, many times one would hear government officials referring fondly to the Lethem Hospital as a state-of-the-art hospital. Many residents I know refer to it in less flattering terms. I understand that apart from not having basic drugs at the hospital, which I am informed was built to cater for serious cases from the Annai, Aishalton, and Karasabai sub-districts, there are no surgeons, administrator, nurse/midwife, ward sister or a senior nurse to supervise the work of the junior nurses. So what transpires at this hospital is a “don’t give a damn” attitude towards patients.
I have also observed some works ongoing at the facility even as I write. What is noteworthy is that no work is being done to remedy situation. It is only now that they are constructing an accident section, along with some minor interior work.
Yours faithfully,
Winston Peter
Editor’s note
We are sending a copy of this letter to Minister Bheri Ramsarran for any comment he might wish to make.
