Dear Editor,
It has become the norm for government officials in this country to deny factual issues when they are raised, in the hope that some people will believe their denials and if not, at least they can live in the belief that all is well under their watch.
So it came as no surprise to me when I read the Director of Health in Region 6, Mr Javaughn Stephen, in the Stabroek News dated June 13, refuting my letter to the press with regard to the appalling
conditions existing at the New Amsterdam Hospital, in addition to the shortage of drugs and x-ray films.
At the last RDC meeting which was held on Thursday, June 2, 2016 in the RDC’s boardroom, I outlined and highlighted everything which I wrote in the press. The media houses were there and so was Mr Stephen. At that meeting, I highlighted the shortage of vital medications, shortage of gloves and syringes, animals being in wards, shortage of reagents at the lab, elective surgeries not being done because of issues with the theatre beds and the anaesthetic machine, and the shortage and poor supply of x-ray films (x-rays were not being done for all cases). Moreover, at the Health Committee meeting which was held prior to this, the CEO, Mr Bynoe, and the Director, Mr Stephen, acknowledged the dire situation at the hospital and blamed the tendering process and the MMU. I reported this response in my letter.
Mr Stephen though has admitted one issue mentioned in my letter: the issue of cats and dogs, but tried to spin his way out. But what is strange is that he made mention of what was done under the previous PPP/C government but has miserably failed to mention what he, as the Director of Health, is doing to get rid of dogs and cats in the wards. Mr Stephen also tried to justify this issue by stating that diseases give out odours that only dogs can smell, hence the attraction to hospitals. This is ridiculous. If such be the case then we can expect to see dogs following sick persons home. However, I have not seen any dogs in wards at any other medical facilities. The hospital is not a fish and meat market, yet there are more cat and dogs at New Amsterdam Hospital than at the Port Mourant market!
Moreover, while ‘outreach’ programmes are commendable, I would like Mr Stephen to also focus on the health service within reach, moreso since the New Amsterdam Hospital is an arm’s length away from his office.
At this point I would like to refute an inaccurate statement made by Mr Stephen at the last RDC meeting. He claimed that Dr Ali, who was allegedly assaulted by the CEO, Mr Bynoe, retracted his allegations and apologized to the CEO. I personally called Dr Ali who said that he never apologized and he did not retract his statement against the CEO. The doctor is still awaiting the appropriate response from the Minister of Health.
Where the health and well-being of our citizens are concerned we must always endeavour to be truthful and fearless ‒ let the chips fall where it may!
This see-sawing of the drugs shortage is a well-known and irrefutable fact throughout this country and one that cannot be blown away by denials. The government must act decisively to bring resolutions to the problems plaguing the health sector. The health sector has been a dismal failure after one year in office. The appointment of incompetent persons has also drastically worsened the situation.
In conclusion, I have nothing to gain personally or politically; it is my intent that the health sector is improved so that the residents of Region 6 can enjoy a better delivery of health service.
Yours faithfully,
Haseef Yusuf
Chairman of the Health Committee-
Region 6
Regional Councillor
