Latest update April 25th, 2024 12:59 AM
Mar 03, 2011 Letters
Dear Editor,
Please allow me to share my sentiments in your column with regards to Link Show 27 and the comments which followed.
I was in attendance on the opening night, February 18, 2011, as I do every year and as I am well aware that the script is primarily based on satirical representations of occurrences in Guyana’s society, I decided not to openly voice my views about the brutal attack on the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.
Although it may have been funny to many, it was quite embarrassing to me as the standing Chief Executive Officer of the institution, for it portrayed the hospital in a generally negative light and in my view, may have further mislead the public into thinking that the hospital (staff) is incapable of provided quality service to the population.
As I stated earlier, I did not intend to engage in any verbal or written battles; however, I feel compelled to pen this letter after reading the statements made on the issue of GPHC by Mayor Hamilton Green, Dr. Steve Surujbally, and Mr. Ron Robinson’s response to Dr. Surujbally’s letter; with specific reference to Mayor Green and Mr. Robinson’s statements.
I was particularly taken aback by Mr. Green’s statements when in fact he has called me personally on a number of occasions to seek assistance for people with whom he’s affiliated. Now, my question is, if the hospital is so terrible, why have your associates come here? Why not advise them to go elsewhere?
Moreover, Mr. Robinson’s response highlighted anecdotal statements/issues which would hurt any institution. If such cases have indeed occurred then I think that Mr. Robinson, a respected public figure, has a civil duty to draw it to the attention of management and have the culpable staff dealt with accordingly. The majority of times people take their plight to the media and not to the relevant personnel and in so doing, timely actions cannot be taken by management. Many are of the opinion that management sweeps reported cases under the carpet, but I wish to assure all that this is not the case.
I do admit that the hospital, like every other institution, has flaws, some of which directly pertain to the attitude of some nursing personnel. However, continuous efforts are being made to curb, if not eliminate, this problem. Over the years, the hospital has employed the services of renowned Customer Care Specialist, Ms. Joyce Sinclair who has been working feverishly with all categories of staff to improve on their relations with clients/patients/visitors.
With regards to the shortage of medications, whenever this threat arises, management works unremittingly to source these drugs as soon as humanly possible.
This problem is not, however, confined to GPHC or Guyana in the whole, it is an international phenomenon; but it must be categorically stated that at no time is a patient instructed to bring his/her own medication(s) for usage at the hospital. Patients are advised to walk with any medication which they may be currently using to aid doctors in making clinical diagnoses and treating them appropriately.
Some doctors, on few occasions and contrary to what is advised, would prescribe medications (based on their professional judgment) which are not on the National Formulary resulting in patients having to purchase these drugs.
I conclude that this year’s Link Show was of a comparatively low calibre, for the script was ridiculously monotonous – targeting primarily Minister Clement Rohee and GPHC. Moreover, the attack on hospital in ‘this year’s Link Show 27’ was extreme and although a satire or comical in content, I must reiterate that it really further damages the reputation of the hospital and demoralises the hard working staff rather than just bring laughter to its viewers, as was presumably intended.
Michael H. Khan
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