Ministry of Public Health has to do better on coronavirus

Dear Editor,

The Ministry of Public Health is metaphorically equated with the heartbeats of the populace and maybe being at the helm of the political party could decrease the efforts Minister Volda Lawrence is able to channel to the health sector. I will turn to the political scientist Dr. David Hinds et al to see if my view in this realm is bolstered. Every enjoyment and purpose of life is derived from good health. Guyana has finally taken a leaf from the book of Trinidad and other countries by stopping the entry of people who are not Guyanese, from entering Guyana. Of course this action comes on the heels of our first fatality stemming from the coronavirus. However, for a long time we have seen droves of foreigners arriving here. I wouldn’t want to utter derogatory descriptions of any of them, however, we need to carefully consider if those allowed in are making worthwhile contributions to our quality of life. With the worldwide spread of the coronavirus, we need to be extremely vigilant and firm. From the moment the first case of the virus was detected, the victim’ s household should have been quarantined and an investigation conducted to find out who she had been exposed to prior to her demise. Instead, the Ministry of Public Health allowed a wake to be held, which was attended by a large number of people, hence increasing the likelihood of many more casualties.

Our representatives in government can no longer afford to let such avoidable and harmful events unfold and then be faced with an uphill task of trying to provide remedial programmes.

Faithfully, Conrad Barrow.