PRESIDENT of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), Mr. Colin Bynoe has expressed his sadness over the passing of two members who lost their lives under tragic circumstances in Berbice over the last weekend. Referring to the death of school teacher Kaimattie Sookram, who died after delivering a boy, he issued a call for a full investigation, even as expressions of sympathy were extended, on behalf of the GTU Executive, to the family who are feeling the loss and suffering.  
Last week Friday, Sookram, who taught at the Number 56 Primary School, is reported to have bled profusely prior to delivery at New Amsterdam Hospital and died hours later after delivering her second child via c-section.
She was being transferred to Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) when she succumbed.
Bynoe noted that, over the years, teachers have been complaining of severe stress within the system and in their respective homes, which is becoming troublesome.

COUNSELING   
“I would be grateful if counseling sessions can be held for teachers to allow them to ‘detox’ their system,” he said.
Bynoe also urged health officials to, urgently; address the issues within the Maternity Ward of New Amsterdam Hospital, in Berbice, declaring that, too many times, women’s lives are being snuffed out.
Expressing sorrow at the loss, too, Regional Education Officer, Shaifran Bhajan remarked that Nazeema Rafeek was a Senior Assistant Mistress assigned to the St. Aloysius Primary School, where she was an excellent teacher whose primary focus was the slow learners.
Bhajan observed that, since the demise of the teacher’s mother a few months ago, she has been struggling with bouts of depression.
On October 21, St. Aloysius Primary School Teacher, Nazeema  Rafeek, 33, was found hanging in her bedroom.
Her 13-year-old son, who made the discovery, reported that his mother’s neck was tied to her bed head with cloth.