NOW embattled Minster of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsaran, has come in for major flak from the leadership of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) and his colleagues, as well as from members of civil society.Recent comments made during and after a confrontation with local social activist, Sherlina Nageer, landed him in hot water.

The Health Minister, on Monday, reportedly talked about having Nageer “slapped” and “stripped” when approached by her on the issues of maternal and child deaths. Subsequently, he apologised for his comments, attributing his outburst to the fact that he was provoked to anger.
“It was unfortunate that I was provoked into anger and uttered harsh words at her for which I now regret,” the Minister said in his apology.
However, a recording of a meeting he held with Regional Health Officers (RHOs) yesterday, was made public and Dr Ramsaran was heard repeating some of what he said on Monday, as well as charging that Nageer is “rabid”, a “miscreant” and in need of “psychiatric help.”

CONDEMNED
Former president and PPP/C executive member, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, on Wednesday made it clear that the party does not condone such actions.
“Personally I think it should have never happened. It was distasteful…the Party does not condone any disparaging things said about women, especially if it is done in a way that seems sexist. He claims that he was provoked, but in spite of that, he should not have said anything of that nature,” he said at a news conference on Wednesday.
Dr Jagdeo highlighted that the PPP/C has been firm in denouncing the recent political attacks on its prime ministerial candidate, Elisabeth Harper, and will maintain its position in defence of all women.

“We have condemned the attacks on Elisabeth Harper and we should condemn the attack on any woman,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mrs Harper herself has weighed in on the debacle and in a public missive said, “The remarks made by Minister Bheri Ramsaran are unacceptable and an affront to women. I condemn his utterances in the strongest possible manner.
“It is yet another example of how much more needs to be done in ensuring that women are treated with respect and dignity, especially by the exemplars of our society.”
Harper who has been on a platform advocating for the further empowerment of women noted that “as a woman, but more so a human being with conscience, I share the sentiments of many that this has revealed that we have to do much more to secure the full respect for the rights of our women, particularly what women stand for and how they should be seen.”
The PPP/C prime ministerial candidate underscored the fact that this incident is not an isolated case; rather it is symptomatic of the way our society can still be at times despite the huge strides we have made in advancing the rights of women.
“It reinforces my own personal intention and commitment to championing the cause of the vulnerable in our society,” she declared.
And former Human Services Minister Priya Manickchand is another prominent female figure in the PPP/C who has come out against Dr Ramsaran’s actions.

The now Education Minister, on her Facebook page, said, “What Bheri Ramsarran is reported to have said is nothing short of sexist, he wouldn’t have thought of stripping a man, disrespectful, vulgar and stupid. He must apologise and retract what he said.
“I unreservedly condemn his choice of words. I believe he could have and indeed he was entitled to defend himself if he felt threatened by an assault. I don’t believe he is entitled to slap anybody just for fun or to strip anybody….and it is these backward utterances that he must apologise for.”
She called on her colleague to do some “soul searching” and said, “He must examine how he feels about his responsibility to answer members of the public irrespective of if those said members are asking questions in an unconventional way.”
Manickchand stressed that there is still much more to be done to develop Guyana into the society where such acts are not commonplace.
CIVIL SOCIETY VOICE

President of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Dr Vindhya Persaud, is the most recent to condemn Dr Ramsaran’s comments.
In a statement she said, “The Sabha also strongly condemns the recent offensive comments of Minister of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsaran in relation to a female activist. The rights of women are sacred and the preservation of such rights remains the focus of all right thinking persons globally and locally.
“In Guyana, we have made significant strides in setting up institutions to safeguard these rights which should not be allowed to be eroded by persons who behave in an irresponsible manner. We are alarmed that a sitting Minister of Government should allow himself to be provoked into making such reprehensible comments.”
As a result, she stressed that the Sabha is urging all religious bodies to join us as we advocate for an environment of responsibility, maturity and freedom from hostility and hatred.
In addition to condemnation, the Health Minister’s comments have also sparked protest actions outside the Ministry of Health’s Brickdam office.