THE EDITOR: I have to assume that my local government councillor is playing hopscotch with respect to the road repairs being done in the Bois Jean Jean, Moruga area. It appears to me that only selected streets are being repaired. Now, that is what I call “representative government.” Maybe, it is just a symbol of what politicians all over do: seeking and representing their own interests. Therefore, sir, I see that you have aspirations of becoming a Member of Parliament perhaps. Mountain climbing appears to be another sport that I must assume politicians play, since they elevate themselves as soon as they get elected into office and spend so much time up there where the air is rare. This, while their constituents are without the basic amenities in some cases. The lack of oxygen at those heights must be the reason for some of the nonsensical utterings they make, especially on political platforms and at post-Cabinet meetings, as I assume that the brain suffers the most. I make a plea, at this time, for some sanctioned body to carry out some research with respect to the existence and size of a politician’s brain as I fear that a lack of oxygen to this minuscule or mythical organ can have deadly consequences for the country.

Running from the public is also a sport that politicians and proto-politicians seem to be most adept at playing. I can assume that most of the older political dinosaurs are owners of toned bodies as all that running will build muscles. However I might have to correct myself since it is much easier these days to just drive away in your chauffeur-driven tinted SUV a luxury sedans. This is bearing in mind that once they are seated in comfort inside these vehicles or they do not feel the inconvenience of driving on a pothole-ridden road. The “blame game” can be considered to be essential as this is one of the first sports that all politicians play. If something goes wrong, you do not accept responsibility. It is easier to just run from it and pass the culpability on to someone else. The new holder of the blame always seems to be clueless but after much study, I am of the opinion that looking and being clueless have become present in all politicians. Perhaps, it was a genetic mutation.
 
This all leads to Vision 2020. The ambitious plan to have Trinidad leap from “third world” to “developed” country status in now 17 years. However, I ask: What is the use of looking forward to 2020 when we can’t get past 1940s infrastructure? I live in 2003. Some parts of the country are without pipe-borne water and electricity. Vision 2020. The facilities being used by the public service seem to have been constructed a little after the first man started to walk upright. Vision 2020. Computerising a government takes more than three years and inter-ministerial networking is an unheard concept. Vision 2020. Massive government complexes while a little over 40 percent of the citizens live in poverty and the number of the working poor increases. Vision 2020. Belligerent doctors and a hapless Health Ministry. Vision 2020. The exploding HIV/AIDS epidemic and family life education. Vision 2020. The creation of illiterate future nationals and an antiquated curriculum with the kind compliments of the Education Ministry. Vision 2020. Globalisation also known as neo-colonialism. Vision 2020. Who are the ones planning this Vision 2020? Who are the ones there to ensure the implementation of this Vision 2020? Who are the ones to lead us to this? He or she is exercising now.

G M J COOPER
Moruga

THE EDITOR: Please publish this as an Open letter to Hon Minister of Health. In reference to an article published in a daily newspaper dated Thursday September 11, 2003 under the caption “drugs shortage claims hilarious” as Senior Pharmacist at the Institution, I am taken aback. There is absolutely nothing hilarious about the drugs shortage at the institution. You indicated, “There’s no tracking system to show where the drugs go. It’s quite dangerous. There can be leakage, drugs might walk out of the hospital…there’s a lack of inventory control.” Your comments alluding to the Pharmacy Department are unfortunate. This sir, has brought disrepute and ridicule to the department more especially, the Pharmacists. You do not possess a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the daily operations at the department and therefore were deliberately misinformed or ill advised. A detailed knowledge of the department’s tracking, and inventory control, could have been furnished upon request, before a press release of that nature. Our logistics are well detailed and available. We ensure good distribution practices and have an obligation of proper inventory management. Quite apart from the one provided by NIPDEC officials.

The Pharmacy Department of the San Fernando General Hospital is a class above. We strive for excellence, and we achieve. Having alluded to mismanagement at the department you gave credence to the unfounded perceptions members of the public hold towards pharmacists. How can we be energised and continue to strive for excellence, to provide quality health care and improve service levels to clients? Please be informed, the problem at the Pharmacy Department is indeed one of drugs shortage, which cannot be attributed to pharmacists. The allocation and supply of pharmaceuticals is not a function of the Department. We cannot dispense pharmaceuticals that are not supplied to the department because of budgetary shortfalls.

In an effort to provide quality service, pharmacists are burdened by shortages. Pharmacists are blamed for not having the drugs by some members of staff, pilfering by members of the public, no tracking system, leakages, drugs walking out, and lack of inventory control, by you, the Hon Minister of Health. You have provided criteria that marginalise our efforts and demean the value of our intellectual output. We appear not to have mothers and fathers, and could be taken advantage of by all who come along. The orientation that suggests that “we are less than” does not contribute to achieving the 2020 vision, and the vision that “we have for our profession.” The daily communication bet-ween NIPDEC and the Pharmacy Department is about supply and demand, which is always inadequate and continues to be a thorn. This is no breaking news. This has always been with us, this year 2003, being the worst ever. Could this be as a result of the CDAP Programme? It is common when approaching the end of the financial year, cost containment because of budgetary constraints, arise. This therefore is no excuse to label pharmacists as “leaking walk outs.”

On Friday 12, 2003 members of the public, were openly saying to pharmacists, “The Minister say all you stealing the drugs that’s why we can’t get it.” This, Mr Minister is what obtains today, resulting in irreparable damage. The above article also indicated, “up to today, NIPDEC received a request from the senior pharmacist, and they’ve already supplied the required drugs.” Please be informed, the requisitions were dated (in August), and not as was suggested. It is true to say, the information you received from NIPDEC officials was inaccurate and misleading. An accurate documentation can be furnished to you upon request. An unsupported, injudicious attack was made against pharmacists and supporting staff at the San Fernando General Hospital based on inaccurate information. As head of the department, I am saddened. I am fortunate to have a competent and reliable staff. A staff I am proud to supervise. In addition, the pharmacy department has an open door policy and share a healthy and professional relationship with the Hospital Medical Chief of Staff, and the Hospital Administrator. Collectively, we strive for excellence and will continue to do so.
Presently, the morale of the pharmacy staff is bruised and some reparation should be made.

MRS LEAFLET RYAN
Senior Pharmacist
General Hospital
San Fernando

THE EDITOR: It is standard practice that all illnesses and deaths are reviewed for both cause of illness/death and possible preventive measures. Whenever a cluster of illnesses and deaths occur, it is always cause for concern. When the Minister of Health denies that the deaths did occur, smiles at the situation, remarks that babies die every day and then wants to launch an investigation to see who is to blame; just shows the insensitivity of the situation and the man. And then try to gain publicity points by demanding that all neonatology units be sanitised immediately is just another reactionary decision, without thought and planning.

Suddenly, the authorities find instant money to hire a janitorial company to sanitise the ward. I am sure the regular cleaners are only equipped with mop and broom, with little or no training and were unable to obtain better cleaning equipment. But this is limited to the surroundings. For the janitorial company will have no experience in the cleaning, disinfecting/sterilising and maintenance of equipment. What about the equipment? It is usually the duties of nurses and nursing assistants to clean and disinfect/sterilise the equipment. One must remember that there is only 40 percent of the nursing staff, compared to the 80s. One must also remember that there is a chronic shortage of equipment and resources. Sometimes the only one piece of equipment has to be quickly washed, without disinfection or sterilisation, so that it can be used on the next patient. Hence, in the rush from one patient to the next, with all limitations and shortages, pitfalls may occur. The Health-care workers’  motto at present is that it is better to half treat a patient than to offer no treatment at all.

Local staff has been begging for more equipment and resources, as well as better remuneration. The Minister of Health has since stated that it is cheaper to hire Cuban and UN volunteer doctors, whom he will specially register with his appointed panel. More equipment and resources will not be made available to local staff. However, the Minister of Health has stated that he will ensure that all equipment and resources are available for use by the Cuban and UN volunteer doctors and nurses. The answers to our health care woes are: Improved remuneration to re-attract local staff, both old and new; increased healthcare budget to four percent of GDP; more equipment and resources, that are of the highest standard; better management and less corruption. The janitorial company may also help to clean the RHAs, possibly wipe them from the face of the earth.

 Philip Ayoung-Chee
 Port-of-Spain

THE EDITOR: I must say that I am very pleased that Mr Ethan G (Mr G) has read my letter to you and responded. I am again compelled to respond, since he has raised some very important issues in his letter titled “My sins are not worse than yours.” The title is true indeed for the Bible says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Rom 3:23). How we deal with this knowledge is another matter. Some choose to turn away from sin while others choose to continue in it. It’s our choice. God on the other hand is Holy, that is, He has a high moral character, that does not tolerate sin big or small and he requires the same thing of us. “Be holy for I am Holy.” (1 Pet 1:16). We must choose to be Holy. He does not force us. I agree with Mr G that Sodom was not destroyed for homosexuality alone, for there were far worse sins present there, including sexual abuse of children, rapes,  murder, stealing, sexual relations with animals, etc.

The Bible also says of Sodom, “This is the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter (Gomorrah) had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and the needy and they were haughty and committed abominations before Me, therefore I took them away as I saw fit.” (Ezek 16:49-50). God is sovereign. It is not accurate to say born gay, but rather to say born with no desire for the opposite sex in a sexual way. Jesus in speaking of celibacy said, “All cannot accept this saying, but only those whom it has been given. For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s womb… made eunuchs by men… made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heavens sake. He who is able to accept it let him accept it.” (Matt 19:11-12). If you are born this way, it is a gift from God. Paul admonishes, “I wish that all men were even as myself, but each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that… if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.” (1 Corinth 7:7-9). Notice, the alternative is not homosexuality, but to get married.

Mr G admits in his letter homosexuality is a sin, for he “knows His (God’s) position on the subject.” The Bible says, “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fear of judgement…” (Heb 10:26-27a). No wonder Mr G’s prayers appear to be futile. He knows God’s position on the issue, but is convinced in his own mind he is born gay; something that goes against God’s creation. He is actually telling god that He made him so. Think how angry we get when someone accuses us of doing something we did not do. Much more God! God will not hear his prayers. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked, for what a man sows, that he will also reap…” (Gal 6:7). We are encouraged in the Bible, whatever things are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and of a good report… mediate on these things.” (Phil 4:8).

In other words, if we fill our minds with good things, good things will be manifested in our lives for people to see. A classic case of “garbage in garbage out.” God knows the power of our minds, for He created it. It is in our mind, we shape who we are and what we become. A true Christian is instructed to “put on the mind of Christ” and let God make us into what he wants us to be. If we do that, there is no room for homosexuality or any sin for that matter. To go before God and say, “change me, I am gay,” without having the intention to change, will not work until we make a genuine effort to change ourselves. God does not force us to do his will; we must freely choose to do so. The simple prayer that will work is, “God, I am wrong, you are right, forgive me for sinning against you. I surrender my will to you; let your will be done in my life.” “A broken and a contrite heart — These O God, you will not despise.” (Ps 51:17).

If Mr G first repents of his sin and asks God to forgive him and really means it, then God will hear and answer his pray, for God is Holy and will not dwell where sin is. “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear (me).” (Ps 66-10). He speaks of the tremendous burden of being gay; this alone should indicate to him something is wrong. Jesus said, “For my yoke is easy and my burden light.” (Matt 11:30) and again, in speaking of life under the Devil (calling him thief in this scripture) says, “The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. “I have come that they might have life and … have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) Jesus wants us to live life to the fullest, both physically and spiritually. He wants us to be happy, not burdened down. The Bible says, “cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Pet 5:7). We feel these heavy burdens, when we go against God’s will.

Mr G speaks a lot about his conscience and his right to choose. Here is some of what the Bible says about the conscience. “Now the Spirit expressly says, that in the latter times (our time) some will depart from the faith giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies and hypocrisy, having their conscience seared with a hot iron.” (1 Tim 4:1-2). This means that you can train your conscience to approve and disapprove  of whatever you want. You can make good, bad, and bad, good within yourself, without feeling guilty. God is constant and does not change and cannot be swayed to change His mind like we can. Paul admonishes us to “always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.” (Acts 24:16) This we cannot do for ourselves, for Jesus through the shedding of blood on the cross “offered himself without blemish to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” (Heb 9:14b). there is a good conscience as opposed to an evil conscience. The Bible says, “let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience…” (Heb 10:22a). This is why we need God to decide for us, what is good and evil. We cannot decide for ourselves. We are still learning. He already knows.

Do not be deceived, “let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted by God, for God cannot be tempted by evil nor does He Himself tempt anyone, but each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then when desire has conceived it gives birth to sin, and sin when it is full grown brings forth death.” (James 1: 13-15). Yes, we are ultimately responsible for the choices we make and therefore must accept the resulting consequences. In conclusion I say to Mr G and all gay people, both male and female, you are gay as long as you choose to be. It is your choice, and God’s design. His scriptures do not “appear to denounce the lifestyle,” according to Mr G. If you want to be gay, be gay, but I charge you on the authority of the scriptures presented, leave God out of it.

MICHAEL  RAMDASS
Arouca

THE EDITOR: Dengue fever is getting a “bum-rap” in Point Fortin. Anyone afflicted with a respiratory ailment, allegedly an ALNG related illness, is diagnosed as having dengue fever. Those people living with in a one mile radius of the ALNG plant are being infected with in a new strain of respiratory ailment, so sporadic that it can be deemed as epidemic. Those in close proximity to the ALNG plant are being afflicted with respiratory problems, rashes and muscular discomforts. Doctors at the Area hospital in Point Fortin, and those in private practice are overwhelmed by patients with all types of strange illnesses which are new to them, which for want of an appropriate, accurate diagnosis is being diagnosed as dengue fever, which is characteristic of what can be called — a “quick fix,” to appease the frustrations of the afflicted patients. Despite the outcry of the FFOs, against the continued expansion of the ALNG in the Point Fortin community, the plight of the residents remains unchanged and unaddressed much to our peril.

Other than the FFOs, of whom we all should be indeed proud, and to which we should all extend our heart felt gratitude, no other group or agency views the predicament of the residents of Point Fortin as a matter to be addressed.
We are presently grappling with an outbreak of which the ALNG is allegedly the villain. At this point in time the ALNG is allowed to pollute the air in and around Point Fortin, with emissions from the ALNG “flares,” which are in operation without effective high power blowers that are commonly used for clearing hazardous toxins from the air. There is a “catch-22” situation in the making here. The government is in the process of providing alternative homes for the people in close proximity of the ALNG. Relocating those affected by the ALNG, is like covering up a malignancy with a band-aid; government’s endeavour to address the problem but not the cause. The overriding problem is the prevalence of polluted air which is allowed to contaminate the area and the on-going expansion of the ALNG, in the populous, developed community of Point Fortin. From the way things are progressing, the residents of Point Fortin would soon be displaced by the ALNG which in spite of its negative social impact on the community “health wise,” is being sold to the public as a necessary evil, highlighted by the $7.5 million paid to the Borough for the rental of lands usurped by the ALNG, while the precipitous degeneration of the quality of life of the residents of the Borough is completely ignored.

ULRIC GUY
Point Fortin

THE EDITOR: It was a momentous event when Minister Robinson-Regis proposed to have existing taxes on chicken importation removed to ensure that our favourite meat is affordable to the average citizen. This was the action required to “pluck” indiscriminate increases in chicken prices dictated by ruthless poultry manufacturers that must now find their position unpalatable. Yes indeed, like a contented canary, I was all set to sing loud praises to the Legal Affairs Minister for fervently championing a people’s issue. However, my mood was short-lived when I read of dead babies and the dubious remarks that followed, uttered by our Health Minister. So it is easy to discern what swayed my focus — death of the innocent over chicken prices.

Reports revealed that 25 babies died at the neonatal unit of the Mount Hope Women’s Hospital for the period August 1 to mid-September. Most of those deaths were attributed to the sepsis Enterobacter bacteria. Commenting on the tragedies, Minister Imbert was reported as saying: “It’s a management issue. Throughout the health sector… when you track the source of every problem it’s a management problem.” Those words say a lot about Mr Imbert — none good. Mr Imbert incriminates himself by admitting to having had knowledge of incompetent managers for some time — a dilemma for which he still has no viable solution. Also he most likely made enemies of most of his support staff by blaming his managers. Doesn’t Mr Imbert know that being the Minister of Health is to be ultimately responsible and accountable for all health related issues, including administration, and that he is the manager of the managers he chastises? Doesn’t he realise that to wear the cap of Minister is to inherit the fortunes and misfortunes of his Ministry?

Of course since the neonatal unit was declared unsanitary and appears at this point to have hosted the killer bacteria, reactive measures began in earnest. These would include detailed investigations, sanitising neonatal units across the country, enacting sanative standards legislation — blaming the UNC for not doing so and dismissal threats. So we come to realise, with few exceptions, that the underlying watchwords throughout the current regime is reaction — forever seeking to cure an ill as opposed to preventing one. It is important to recognise and award positive achievements if we are to promote incentives for even greater triumphs. Conversely, shortfalls must be identified and highlighted if they are to be remedied and prevented from recurring. Sadly at this juncture, perceptions place evil ahead of good in TT, and so, Ministers must play their part by hastily improving their managerial skills to reverse this scenario.

DEXTER  J  RIGSBY
Mt Lambert

THE EDITOR: May it please you to grant me space and opportunity to reply to some unfortunate statements contained in a piece entitled “Time for Pan Trinbago to pay its way” and which piece was positioned over the name of Rudy Chato Paul SR — D’Abadie. Dear Mr Paul, if your intention was to injure the image of Pan Trinbago, your attempt was at best awkward and at worst libellous. Pan Trinbago may I inform you, does not go to anyone in a hat in hand manner. This statement is at once seriously erroneous. You Mr Paul came over as a mischievous person, who had had some bad experience, well deserved I would imagine, if I were to judge by the erroneous contents of your public letter.

From where I sit, I am at a loss to understand why you would seek to bring opprobrium to this international body. If you are not happy with the pace of construction, why not seek answers, instead of drawing conclusions that are without substance. You see, the building is nearing completion, therefore your reference to an idle crane is belied by the fact that there is no longer a crane on site and this for several months now. Please be informed and I consider my information to be unnecessary, since you are in a position to know better, to know that your letter is replete with unfair comment. Pan Trinbago is an unique entity which has no parallel anywhere in the world. Therefore to seek to treat with the Steelband Association in a manner like that which obtains in respect of other cultural groups or associations would be folly.

The Steelpan is truly indigenous and by reason of its universal appeal and use, renders it suitable to be designated a national treasure. More than that the Steelpan has found its way into the hallowed halls of musical excellence. Pan Trinbago is the national custodian of this artform and the world has accepted that Trinidad is the knowledge centre for Pan. It is therefore a sensible move should the state recognise the great importance that Pan plays as a socio-economic vehicle in the society. To refer to funds subvented to Pan Trinbago as being unnecessary is to demonstrate a lack of understanding, a lack of knowledge of the steelband movement. For several years the Association and its members suffered the rigours of having to run an organisation and at the same time employ strategies to develop the instrument, market the instrument and empower the membership, without any funding.

Today the Association has grown both in stature and maturity and our vision is determined by the forces of modern dynamics and therefore our strategies for sustainable development encompass “Getting Organised for the New Millennium”, technology production and logistics, finance and economics, enabling environment, marketing and promotion, education and training, events and festivals. You would appreciate that Pan Trinbago is now in expansion mode and more than that the Association is seeking to capitalise on the opportunities for commerce that are now very present.
Do you expect that the Association could achieve the kind of self-sufficiency that it should while being bogged down by heavy real estate leases. It is because we understand the wisdom of building a firm asset base, that we have decided to invest in the construction of a head office complex, which would afford us much opportunity for economic activity, being ideally located so close to the international airport.

Mr Paul, letters of the kind that you have published, do no good to the cause of cultural development. Whilst you may be of the opinion that your mini discourse was well intentioned, it did no more than transmit misinformation and scandal. I am fully aware by now that you have pointedly neglected to look at the economic activity, which today surrounds the Steelpan and the Steelband Association. Our information is that the export market for Pan is growing and is today above the three million US dollar mark per annum. Pan Trinbago has opened up market opportunities in China, Japan, Nevis, St Vincent, Antigua, cities in Europe, Canada and the United States of America. When in 2000, Pan Trinbago held its International Conference on the Science and Technology of Pan, at the Crowne Plaza, Port-of-Spain, it was attended by pan scientists from Europe, the United States of America, Canada, Japan and the Caribbean. This signal event articulated positively and firmly that Trinidad and Tobago is “the knowledge centre for Pan.” While criticism is welcome, it would be so much better for us all if the level of discourse be taken to a higher and more constructive level.

MELVILLE  BRYAN
Pan Trinbago

THE EDITOR: Recent articles in the Press have raised the issue of lack of health care for women in our country particularly for women in rural areas. The facts are that in all health centres across the country women have available to them:-

•Family Planning Services where they can access counselling or female and other reproductive matters.
•Contraception, including oral contraception and condoms, are provided free in all health centres. In addition intrauterine devices are inserted if the women desire it.
•However it must be emphasised here that intrauterine devices like some oral contraceptions may function by preventing implantation of a fertilised egg and therefore causing an abortion.
•Ante natal care is provided in all health centres All care in health centres is free.
Most health centres have special clinics for women’s medical matters. In very distant country areas where the clinic is opened once or twice a week all areas of health care are lumped together but ante natal and family planning are still available and they are given the same importance as chronic diseases and children’s care. Problems that may require special care are handled by referral to gynecologists in all secondary health care institutions where again services are free. The claim therefore that women do not have adequate health care available to them is totally unfounded. To infer then than since women are not being properly cared for, we should consider legalising abortion is totally ridiculous.

JOHN MACKAY
Federation Park