THE EDITOR, Sir:

I find it distressing to witness the things that are happening in our country. Every time I see requests for donations on TV describing cases of children or babies who desperately need operations, for example a recent case of a child born with a hole in the heart, a so-called 'blue-baby', I am shocked at the heartlessness of our Government.

I simply cannot understand how people particularly politicians get away with wasting millions of dollars but we do not have money to provide essential treatment for children.

The recent outbreaks of malaria and leptospirosis are examples of incompetence. Malaria was eradicated from Jamaica in the '50s, yet because of a lack of the most simple environmental procedures, such as the reduction of breeding places for mosquitoes by simple means such as oiling and spraying, there have been over 200 cases of malaria in Kingston and environs.

Leptospirosis is caused by rats which breed in uncollected garbage and it is shocking to see evidence of uncollected garbage in almost every part of Jamaica.

The other embarrassment is the condition of so many roads that taxis, ambulances or fire-trucks cannot access. Old people, disabled, farmers and children live on these roads, and don't they matter to this Government?

I would like to see a Jamaica where everyone matters, not just those who can afford medical treatment in Miami, or live in Upper St. Andrew (Not Trench Town or Tivoli) and only have to use toll roads.

I am, etc.,

MILLICENT SAMUELS

millysamja@yahoo.com

Kingston 20

Via Go-Jamaica