THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE SITUATION that pervades Bellevue Hospital is a source of concern to me as a Jamaican. I am an outpatient member of this remarkable institution. The saga that now takes centre stage is a rich demonstration of the present phase the country seems to be going through. I voted for the PNP in the last General Election in October of 2002. Today, I must confess, I no longer consider myself PNP or JLP, the only 'P' I am at present is a person.
What is going to happen to all those psychotic patients who are destitute and financially embarrassed? Many of my colleagues are unable to find the required fare to come to the institution for their free medication. This obviously would deter them from collapsing into oblivion and societal abuse. The politicians we have at present are uncaring and subsequently cater for persons who are from the same status quo - the persons from Jacks Hill and Red Hills shares the same privileges, status, prestige and power. They are the minority who are from the highest echelons of the social hierarchy.
If this institution is phased out, what will I do? I depend thoroughly on medication to survive in each passing day or I could well be counting the stars by night and the cars by day. Many persons who attend Bellevue are educationally competent as I am, and are role models plus positive contributors to the nation in the quest for sustainable growth and development. This institution is vital for the preservation of sanity of many persons who will not come forward and address the issue because of stigmatisation.
There will be many upheavals and social unrest if people continue to be mistreated and marginalised. We need the Public Defender, Mr. Howard Hamilton, to intervene in seeking to relay the mutual feelings of the staff and patients in having the institution preserved.
We need more humanitarians to come forward in Black History Month to place some pressure on this political regime about the issue.
I am, etc.,
LINTON JAMES
Brook Level Road
Stony Hill P.O.
