Dear Editor,
Like most Guyanese, I am afraid to seek treatment at public hospitals because I lack confidence in the doctors, and private hospitals are prohibitively expensive. When I developed an abscess on my arm, I decided to visit a pharmacy instead.
I was prescribed antibiotics, which I took for several days, but they did not reduce the swelling, fever, or headaches. To my dismay, I then realized that the medication was nearly two years old and would expire in just 14 days.
I am uncertain if the medication lost some of its effectiveness, contributing to my lack of improvement. I was informed that my condition was serious and that the infection could potentially be fatal.
In desperation, I turned to a trusted friend, a Cuban doctor, and his wife, who cleaned and drained the wound, instructing me to return daily for further treatment. With the new medication they provided, I experienced my first night free of fever and headaches.
This experience has left me afraid to rely on pharmacies, fearing that expired medications could worsen my condition or even endanger my life. Consequently, I have lost confidence in the medical treatment available in Guyana.
Sincerely,
Anthony Pantlitz
