ON the 30th April, 2014, I was exiting the Guyana port of entry/exit at Moleson Creek, on the Corentyne River via Suriname, in my attempt to return home to the Netherlands. I felt ill, fainted and was unconscious for a period of time. After I regained consciousness, I found myself sitting in a private taxi travelling to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. Having a very good friend at my side in the speeding car, I question my situation and was told that I became very ill and was unconscious. From the time I arrived at the GPHC’s Emergency entrance on New Market Street in Georgetown, the attendants wasted no time and promptly approached my taxi. They ran towards me, not knowing whether the situation was life threatening or not. Before assisting me, I could hear them asking where I was experiencing pains, or trying to find out where my injuries were.

Of course, I was not in a condition to respond and the attendants, instead of using the wheelchair they had brought to use, they decided to use a stretcher. I also recalled an Afro-Guyanese woman, a chief security guard, who I knew later as “short lady”, was combing my hair with her fingers and massaging my forehead.
While waiting at the Emergency area, around 3p.m., the place was visibly clean; a sweet aroma surrounded the area and confirmed that it was recently cleaned. I had to be admitted and was placed in the men’s surgical ward. I had expected this, but I was grieved tremendously at the thought of having no family or relatives at a strange hospital in a foreign country. I was worried about the treatment that I would receive from the staff at the hospital, because of all the negative things I usually read in the newspapers. My finances were not strong enough to be placed in a private hospital. However, what I have experienced, indeed immensely amazed me to this day.
In the following weeks while I was an in-patient, without having any visitor, I felt I was at home with the royal cares and medical services rendered to me.
The attendants, security personnel, matrons, cleaners, PRO’s, supervisors, nurses and doctors were really courteous to me and were always there when calls were made. They were always there when I needed them, especially at the times when I needed them most they were around to tend to my every need. They helped me to the rest room, and helped me to take my medication on time. Furthermore, the doctors were always checking on me to make sure my ‘pressure and sugar’ were not on the rise, and other things that were outside their duties. They went the extra mile.
The cleaners really did a superb job, I take my hat off to them. These individuals really kept on top of their jobs. As soon as any spill or accidents occurred, these persons wasted no time in ensuring that it was cleaned and disinfected immediately. On a daily basis, I would see them cleaning and disinfecting the areas, in addition to tackling the spills and other accidents occurring spontaneously.
When these cleaners were done cleaning, the place is always left smelling really good and feeling light as though a Christmas general-cleaning had just been conducted.
Fortunately, I was discharged on the 22nd May, 2014, exactly 3-weeks of sublime gratitude, thank-fullness and profound gratitude. I wholeheartedly thank all of them, and I would like to encourage all of them to continue displaying such behaviours and medical services to humanity.
REV. SURUJLALL MOTILALL