THE EDITOR, Sir:
I AM writing this letter on behalf of my deceased mother who went to the Port Maria Hospital on August 9 and was not given any medical service, not even water to drink.
I am very ashamed to see that citizens of Jamaica are refused service just because of neglect or laziness on the part of some medical staff.
I am aware that the Jamaican Government is encouraging residents overseas to come back home and reside but if citizens who are living there are treated in such an inhumane way how can anyone take up the offer seriously. I lost my mother because of people who appparently did not value her life. This is so wrong.
Her son was there at the hospital with her along with her neighbour. I can say without a shadow of doubt that this happened on August 9 2003 at Port Maria Hospital. My mom sat there and struggled for her life and was not helped. She died right in front of her son and neighbour while medical personnel went about their business.
These people begged and pleaded for help only to be ignored. They sat there for over an hour and were denied medical service by some staff at the Port Maria Hospital. Someone needs to be held accountable for reckless behaviour like this. Someone in high authority should stand up and send a loud message that this will not be tolerated.
This has cost me so much pain, anger and discomfort. Why did this have to happen and how many more people will this happen to or has this happened to? The Government and the Ministry of Health should take a stand on matters like these. Aren't these people paid by the Ministry of Health? This hospital should launch an investigation on what happened that morning. I really want to know why my mother was not treated at Port Maria Hospital that day. I am very sad and devastated over this whole issue.
I am, etc.,
LELIETH NEMBHARD
GRAHAM
leann1965@hotmail.com
Indiana
Via Go-Jamaica
