Human life before money

THE EDITOR: I would like to express my condolences to the family of Andre Tanker, I am saddened at the manner in which they were treated by the staff of the Medical Institution where he was taken.

However it should come as no surprise since the almighty dollar has taken precedence over the infinite value and dignity of human life. Instead of seeking immediately to assist in a life-threatening situation the primary concern becomes monetary reward. Private health care is run like any other business in this country. Put simply, before you can receive a product or service you must show that you can pay for the same. Surely however when it comes to health care one can readily see how flawed is this philosophy. A dying person or his family cannot be expected to have the presence of mind to answer questions related to the payment of an expected service.

Surely the very fact that they choose to come to a paying institution may serve to indicate that they are in a position to meet the required expense. Health care run as a business is doomed to fall like the biblical city of Jericho. There are some services, which go beyond the simple economic maxim of pay before receiving. Ministering to the ill is one such service. What defines us as human is the love and respect we are supposed to have for one another, especially the weak and vulnerable. Where was the love on that evening when Andre was brought to the private hospital?

PETER HOSPEDALES
St Lucien Road
Diego Martin