The Editor, Sir:
IT IS my opinion that the article captioned "Could Dominique's Life Have Been Saved", published in The Gleaner on April 24th, 2006 brings to focus yet another incident that highlights how little we as Jamaicans seem to value the lives of our fellowmen.
I recall with absolute horror, a personal experience, similar to that of Velor McDaniel, which occurred while I was en route from Comfort Hall, Manchester, to Mandeville three or so years ago. Approaching the scene of an accident where there were many onlookers, I heard the plea of a lone bystander who beckoned to me for help. "None of the drivers want to help", he said," and this lady needs a doctor."
A few minutes later I pulled into the Mile Gully clinic with the unconscious lady in the back seat of my car and shouted for help, but no one came out. Racing to the help desk, I called out for someone to attend to the emergency. A good three to five minutes later a nurse came out, looked at the lady and said take her to the Mandeville Hospital.
Surprisingly, I experienced the same situation at Mandeville hospital. It took no less than five minutes before a single porter finally came with a stretcher. Minutes later, he was casually joined by others. The body was removed and I was told that she was dead.
How can we strive as a nation if we continue to give such scant regard for human lives?
I am, etc.,
LEOPOLD ISAACS
jahpole@yahoo.com
Sheffield, United Kingdom
Via Go-Jamaica
