THE EDITOR, Sir
I HAVE never been so unfortunately confirmed in my most cynical of beliefs than when I read this Sunday's Gleaner. After wiping away tears triggered by the anonymous letter sent in from a medical intern at KPH, I had the absolute displeasure of reading Seaga's article regarding health tourism. The concept itself is not new and the capacity for any private entity to embark on such a scheme can only be limited by the market and resources. However, in light of the realities of the current inefficiencies of the Jamaican health care system, I am appalled that one would suggest this as a route for the government to invest its resources.
Cuba and Thailand are leagues ahead of the Jamaican health care system, with regards to taking care of their own citizens' needs. Thus, they are at liberty to venture into such a tourist scheme, but this proposal is not the same as offering sand and sea. When you suggest (and convey that government officials are excited about) the notion of offering VITAL services to foreigners that we are unable to provide to the average citizen, then one has to wonder exactly when we lost our sense of priorities.
CRUCIAL EARNINGS
I understand that it is crucial to find means to earn the almighty U.S. dollar and I sympathise with the fact that traditional tourism and agriculture are waning as earning options. I even accept that such an industry may be utilised to inject funding into our own health care system. Nevertheless, I refuse to think it acceptable to save the life of a 'tourist' using means and technology that are not available to the man having a heart attack at the doorsteps of KPH. Please let us focus what resources we can bring to bear on fixing the appalling problems brought to light by the individual that was keen enough to mention it in a public forum.
There is something surreal, nihilistic and then asinine about the idea that we would consciously risk spending money that could be used to save the life of a citizen, to provide lifesaving measures to a tourist, in order to save the life of a citizen. After almost fifty years of trying to put Jamaican people first, I am convinced that no one knows what that means. Not even I. Granted, having a history that was predisposed to knowing oneself only as a tool for British expansion and economic growth, I am not surprised that we stagger.
However, the point must be made that the only way to truly grasp what it means to have a distinct notion of moral purpose behind this existence, is to be fully conscious in the moments when we actively violate ourselves for a glimmer of economic relief. This is one such moment.
In his commentary, the former Prime Minister expressed the fear that "by the time Jamaican interests and authorities are through talking and are ready to act, global developments would have reached higher levels leaving the Jamaican effort on a lower plateau still trying to catch up." I dare say that this fear is a tad bit misplaced. One would hope that the real source of fear, given the current state of affairs, should be that you may have the misfortune of being treated at KPH.
There is nothing I respect more than individuals who have the presence of mind to save lives for a living, under any circumstance. Jamaican doctors must not only be skilled but creative, to cope without the resources their counterparts abroad have the privilege of taking for granted. But those who make do should not be 'rewarded' with further undue burden.
I am etc.,
SHARIFA WRIGHT
shariism@gmail.com
Toronto, Canada
