The People’s Progressive Party today issued a statement denouncing what it described as “disparaging and insensitive” remarks made about former President Bharrat Jagdeo during his recent illness.
Jagdeo was reportedly diagnosed with a virulent strain of dengue fever and had to be flown two Fridays ago to Florida on a chartered plane for further evaluation and treatment.
The PPP statement follows:
The People’s Progressive Party Civic has noted the disparaging and insensitive remarks made by various opposition politicians and their agents after former President Bharrat Jagdeo took ill earlier this week.
The party wishes in no uncertain terms to strongly condemn the inhumane and sinister positions taken by these opposition spokespersons who are continuing their campaign to spew hate and misinformation against the former president. It is clear that the opposition has no statesmen or women within its ranks. It is clear that the opposition has no moral dignity or respect for privacy.
The PPP believes that any attempt to play down the seriousness of the health condition of the former president at that time, while questioning the need for him to travel abroad, must also be seen as an attack on Jagdeo’s fundamental rights as enshrined in the constitution and right to access timely health care.
The ruling party has never questioned the urgency or necessity of any opposition politician or public official to travel abroad upon the instruction of their medical advisors or caregivers.
The PPP wishes to remind the opposition that several of its members including Former Opposition Leader Robert Corbin and the late Sheila Holder benefitted from assistance from the State to seek medical attention abroad when it became necessary.
In the most recent past when former Deputy Speaker Deborah Backer was ill and flown abroad for medical attention, this party offered nothing but best wishes and hopes of a speedy recovery.
The party further condemns the insensitivity and disrespect shown to Jagdeo. While it is expected that there will be political attacks, the party was alarmed by the extension of these assaults to the point where unbelievable misinformation was being peddled by the opposition provocateurs and their activists about the costs for his travel abroad and his medical entitlements.
Despite the shenanigans of the opposition and its acts of desperation, which are aimed at bad-mouthing Jagdeo, his track record and zeal remain intact and stronger than ever.
The PPP wishes Jagdeo a speedy and full recovery.
