Dear Editor,

The Guyana Times of Friday, 26th July, 2019 published a story on page 8 under the caption Lab Technician charged for sealing Medical Supplies from Suddie Hospital.

I read the entire article, some paragraph more than once, paused and asked myself if what was reported in paragraph seven (7) was real and I quote “He pleaded guilty to the charge and was then fined Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.) by Magistrate Ester Sam.

Paragraph eight (8), and I quote ‘Khan’s theft of medical drugs and supplies comes at a time when the country continues to face a shortage at the Regional Hospitals and Health Facilities’.

Paragraph nine (9) and I quote “while the administrative staff of those affected health institutions blamed the Public Ministry for the failing to supply adequate and much needed medicines and drugs leading to sporadic and constant drugs shortages, authorities had also warned that persons who are working at these facilities were also responsible for the drug shortage.

Well one of the things in this region that we all agree on irrespective of which side of the political divide we stand is that for decades now, is there are times that much needed drugs and medical supplies are in short supply or not available but things have changed under this government improved to some extent.

A few months ago I spent fourteen days at the Suddie Public Hospital as a patient (surgical patient) twelve of which was at the Intensive Care Unit and some of the medical investigation that the Doctors ordered could not have been done at the laboratory because of various reasons including slides, strips that were not available. I had to get them done by the Private Laboratory, namely Sigma and Eureka, at a hefty cost that was borne by me. I am certain that the other patients would have shared the same experience. Not forgetting the many many Out Patients who drugs were prescribed for by the doctors there and had to purchase drugs at other pharmacy.

The administration of the Suddie Public Hospital, the Ministry of Health and the Government of the day, bear the blunt of the criticisms by most patients, while other greedy, heartless and grossly dishonest persons, at the inside and outside of these medical institution go spotless. These persons can and must be described as thieves of no mean order, and that is also a mild description when one consider how many lives may have been lost because of the unavailability of the medical supplies at these public institutions and patient may have been ill afforded to acquire them elsewhere.
And while the Kaieteur News of Friday, 26th July, 2019 on Page 27 worded this story differently and use up less of is precious space, the bottom line is that the defendant pleaded guilty to the charge of simple larceny, the John and Jane public is of the view this man should at least be handed a sentence that would ensure he spends the Christmas holidays in jail.

I personally believe that people must have a fair and speedy trial for any offence committed, but this clearly is an opportunity missed for sending a signal to all and sundry that offences like this and that are similar, in any form or fashion, would be dealt with accordingly.

Regards

Archie W. Cordis