– slams ‘distasteful’, ‘unethical’ comments about prior non-disclosure
Opposition leader Robert Corbin yesterday revealed that he had his “dysfunctional gallbladder” removed and was treated for his malfunctioning digestive system.
Robert Corbin
And while his disclosures answered the questions about his health that have been bandied back and forth recently, he slammed some observations made about his prior non-disclosure of his diagnosis labelling them “baseless, distasteful and unethical.”
A smartly-suited Corbin yesterday addressed the media following the party’s weekly press conference, choosing to stand at the podium and speak instead of sitting at the table as is normally done.
He said he returned to Guyana on May 23 but could not meet the press earlier because of a sore throat owing to a cold he contracted shortly before his return.
“Let me state clearly, for the avoidance of any doubt, that but for my bout of influenza, I am in good health. I am feeling fine and energised,” the party leader said.
After his April 25 hospitalisation and later transfer to the US, followed by the announcement that he had to undergo surgery, there were several calls for the opposition leader to disclose his illness as he is not only a public figure, but also holds a constitutional office.
Yesterday Corbin said he had noted in the media the many views expressed about the nature of his illness, the need for full disclosure of the details of his complaint as well as the expenditure involved.
He said he had no problem with the full disclosure of his medical expenses paid for by the government whenever it became available, nor did he have a problem with disclosing the nature of his illness.
“However, I am convinced that the right of full disclosure on my medical condition is one to be exercised by me and no one else,” Corbin said. “I have read all the releases from the PNCR, my brother Charles and the reports in the local media during my period of illness and am satisfied that there was always full disclosure. There is therefore absolutely no basis for some of the comments and criticisms made. Some of those observations are baseless, distasteful and unethical.”
Recounting every step taken since his admission to the Woodlands Hospital where he had driven himself on the morning of April 25 after he experienced chest pains, Corbin said there was an initial belief by his physician that his chest pains were heart related.
He said while a heart attack was very early ruled out, his physicians considered it necessary to have urgent investigations done to evaluate the functioning of his heart. For that reason he was transferred to the Caribbean Heart Institute (CHI) but a request was later made for his urgent travel to the US because, although new facilities have been constructed for angiography, that procedure could not be carried out without the relevant specialist surgeons on location to treat any abnormality that might have been determined during the procedure.
He said on arrival in the US he was admitted to the Heart Centre, St Francis Hospital in Long Island where he underwent cardiac catheterization.
The angiography revealed normal LV Function and the coronary angiography revealed normal coronary arteries.
“In summary, they found me to be a person with chest pains, but with a perfect functioning heart. Con-sequently, they recommended further medical therapy to deal with my symptoms, the determination of which required several tests and evaluation,” Corbin said.
After undergoing several medical tests, including a complete abdominal sonogram, a HIDA/Biliary scan and an endoscopy, it was diagnosed that the pains arose from the “malfunctioning of my digestive system including a dysfunctional gallbladder. Surgery was determined necessary for the removal of the gallbladder to be followed by a course of medical treatment related to the stomach.”
The gallbladder is a small non-vital organ which aids in the digestive process and concentrates bile produced in the liver.
Corbin had a successful surgery on May 7 and is soon to complete postoperative treatment.
Meanwhile, Corbin expressed appreciation to the government for the assistance provided during his illness and also to all the medical personnel who played a part of his treatment both locally and overseas.
And the party leader dispelled rumours of him having prior heart problems.
He said since 2003, especially following the death of his brother, he has been having annual medicals done and there has never been any report of anything wrong with his heart.
He said he has his medical done every year in September and up to last September his heart was functioning well as was proven by the recent tests done.
However, he revealed that he has had problems with high blood pressure for a number of years and has been on medication to address the problem.
HaHa This man went overseas to remove gallblader am i reading right — the Guyanese tax payers should demand he repay every cent ,How can people like this make Guyana a better place
Mo, it was JFK who said, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask only what you can do for your country!” Guyana has done a lot for Corbin. Instead of being grateful to God and to those who were concerned about his health, he lashes out at those who questioned why he never disclosed his sickness. Hey, Corbie, being a public official has its share of public demands so if after all these years you haven’t gotten used to it, then get the hell out of the kitchen. Who do you think you are? Jagdeo? Guyana cannot afford two dictators at a time! And please fade from politics; you’re wasting time doing nothing to stop Jagdeo – unless it is all part of your game plan to suck up to him in exchange for shared governance!
I have to agree that anybody who is in a position to, SHOULD go abroad for such things. Ramsammy certainly din tek no chances wit de local treatment fuh heself.
The Jamaicans have an adage that says “what sweeten Goat mouth will later run its belly”. Baseless, distasteful and unethical is the norm in Guyana’s politics and no-one dragged you kicking and screaming to sign-up for the role.
You seriously think any of us trust the Guyana medical system that much?
Remember he also had other symptoms that needed proper diagnosis.
Mo did you read the statement. He initially was presumed to have some heart problems. In this day and age Guyana still does not have any reasonable heart care treatment. The good news is he was treated for what was eventually found.
I cant stomach some of you people- to think that you have the unmitigated gall to poke fun at this man’s sickness is hard to digest.
So I guess Corbin don’t have the gall to stand up for the PNC anymore….eheeheeee
WHAT IS SO SECRETIVE ABOUT THIS, MORE TO THIS, HE NEEDS THE VOTE.
guyanese demand a repayment of the expenses.
that is why u in canada, mo, to remove u gall bladder there, corbin was right. when jagdeo going to 19 countries in months without a national agenda uall dont question he, now the opposition leader went to determine his medical condition serious and sudden sickness u all shouting, u all too hateful. lets wish the man a good recovery and thank he fuh holding guyana from engaging in outright civil war, look on the bright side
It is good to see you up and kicking again Mr Corbin, I’m
very happy that you are back at congress place again comrade.
Your supporters like me think that we have “ALL” right to know
what is or was your health problem, Ms Fidela Corbin don’t
think that we should.
And, do you think he know he is on his way out, and it is why he chose to “stand at the podium and speak instead of sitting at the table? Poor uncle Corbin!
Perhaps now he wont be so bitter
Har Har!
Without a gallbladder he will lack the gall to fight his opponents. Jagdeo and Van West Charles. I couldn’t resist.
hehehehehheheeh I cant wait to hear all the gall jokes.
The gall is really bile, which helps in the digestion of fats. The gall bladder does not produce bile; it only stores bile, which is actually produced by the liver.
for your information,when you have gallbladder problem you feel sich everyday, you have paineveryday, until they find out what’sgoin on.I had problems for years,and the doctor here didn’t know what was going on in my stomach then after I was taken to the emergency room before they found out I need surgery.
leave the guy alone
yes, sound like added sweetness, guess he challengers wish he gall never come out.
go corbin its yuh birthday.
dey cant stop you boss, thanks for the info. some of us were a bit impatient.
Welcome back Mr Corbin.It is right and proper for you to disclose,what you have now disclosed,but why did it take so long.Your supporters and members of your Party,had the right to speculate,as to what was really wrong,and obviously expressed their views.The Tax Payer has a right to know,and should not be treated with contempt.Freedom of information should remain paramount,in relation to the functioning of both Government,and Opposition.
give him some bush tea!
This is why Guyana is stuck in the present predicatment it is in. Both Jagdeo and Corbin has a problem with transparency. Where is it before now that the Guyanese taxpayers were kept fully apprized of his condition and how their money was being spent on him, and what gives him the right to be mad that they dare had questions about it.
Boy does he take his prevalige as a right! Pipe down Corbin, you’re not the VIP you think you are!
Everyone in Guyana has a problem with transparency when the light is shining on him or her. Everyone in Guyana is entitled to everything in life. When Guyanese vote, the do not elect people to run the government. They elect mothers and fathers who owe them everything in life for the rest of their lives. The government is responsible for taking care of every Guyanese, even those who left the country to live illegally in other countries. Mr. Corbin is entitled for his share of the governmental goodies. Give him a break.
No one is objecting to his getting help, just the fact that he feels that he is entitled to privacy while using tax payers’ money.
Mr. Corbin is a human being,and needs to be allowed his privacy, (medical) persons r constantly jumping to conclusion/s, with no empathy whatsoever.
I mentioned b4, politics has nothing to do with sickness nor who likes/ do not like another, just wish him well.
And remember, when u have glass windows, never throw stones at ur neighbors, what goes around, comes around, the next might be you or I.
Feel better Mr. Corbin.
CHERYL WE ALL LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES BUT SOME OF US FAIL TO REALIZE THAT…WHERE Mr. IS CONCERNED…HE HAS EVERY RIGHT TO HIS PRIVACY WHEN HE IS NOT A PUBLIC FIGURE AND WHEN TAX-PAYERS MONEY IS NOT PAYING HIS EXPENCES.WE CAN SPEAK OUT BECAUSE WE ARE THE ONES THAT ARE FOOTING OUR OWN BILLS
Why toot your horn from America……do you have any privacy here as politician. The same goes for Guyana.
This is the problem with Guyana we fall in love with the Parties and their leaders and forget we have to hold them accountable for their action healthy or unhealthy.
Cobin is the Leader of opposition, and the people of Guyana have a right to know all about him and the way he live and same goes to the President and Officers of the Central Executive of the Government, and other Parties.
It’s the Guyanese people’s money saving his life, drunk or sober
Only you and Fidela think Mr Corbin sickness should be
a private matter, it is not private money that were
used to fly him to America for treatment, is TAX PAYERS
money Cheryl.
Cheryl,so you don’t think that corbin has a right to let his supporters know what is going with his health? He is being very disrespectful to his supporters,it looks like he thinks that people owe him something and no matter what they will support him,he is just like his twin Jagdeo!
The gullible rejoice.They know him not much better today than at the first time of their acquanitance.A gall bladder removal is a minor operation. You do not have to be secretive about it.You do not have to go overseas for that.Take a big boo hoo for beaming that thrash to users.
Are u nuts?.
As a public offical he needs to disclose medical problems expecially, if it’s being paid for by the Government. What I do not agree with is people talking ahead of him disclosing the medical evaluation and results as indicated by his doctors. He must be given time to disclose the facts and those who made assumptions and presumptions should be ashamed of themselves. Who feels it knows it. Their time will come. Sickness has no boundries they say.
Cheryl, why didn’t you pay his expenses, instead of us taxpayers? you are working for US dollars aren’t you lady? Welcome back Mr Corbin.I do hope you feel better. sweetsohany.
Have you only now discovered he is a human being, so that is why you are telling us?We already know that.What is your case?
Corbie now you have to tell us how much we had to pay for a medivac to fix the bladder, thanks for owning up and clearing up all the nonsense people were saying about you etc.
The gall of some of these people.
Couldn’t they fix gall bladder in GT?
Gall bladder required flying out of the country on a private plane?
Put you AFC buddies on him Samaroo,,,let him answer to the USA scholar Trotman…
Most gall bladder operation is serious and if not done correctly you can say good by…….Corbin should now use this to face off with Lunchon who is a medical doctor and very well knows that Guyanese are under served, and can face death if operated or sometimes experimented on in Guyana for some surgeries.
Brandon what would have happen to the ordinary Guyanese man or woman if he or she was crying out like Corbin? Gall baladder is remove because the stone got too large for the bladder and can pain like hell. It not a good experience.
Is Guyana a safe place to live? Social and economic services make of brake a country, and this Guyana government need to correct the way Guyanese are under serve in health, water, transportation, telecom, energy, education, security, housing, ect…….
so what makes corbin special and the rest of us have to suffer at GPHC?
Couldnt he have gone to balwant singh private hospital and get top notch treatment?
Brandon,that is the reason why he didn’t want it known that it was such a minor ailment,causing all that fuss and expence,I think it is a damn shame!!
BRANDON YOU HAVE A POINT…THAT IS TO SHOW HOW MUCH FAITH THEY HAVE IN THEIR VERY OWN INSTITUTIONS.AND THE EXAMPLE THAT IS BEING SET…HIM GOING OUT OF GUYANA SENDS A NEGATIVE MESSAGE TO THE WORLD….ÏNCOMPETENT THE SERVICE IS IN GUYANA….KAAN TRUS DEM WID Ë LIFE…THESE PEOPLE ARE ONLY PROJECTING NEGATIVE IMAGES
I can’t believe removing the bitterness from corbin cost the tax payer over 30 Million Guyana dollars.
That is a lot of money for a very routine operation being done in Guyana.
People getting kidney transplant in GY now and this man flying to long island to get e gall bladder remove?
Good to know that his emergency trip was not entirely heart related. A full and speedy recovery. Nonetheless, Mr. Corbin it’s still time for you to step aside and give Guyana a break. We, the people deserve better.
OK, FINE, SO WHO YOU HAVE TO TAKE OVER?
Malaika06 ! how yuh doin ?? leh me ansah de qweshtan fuh yuh ,, caz ah see yuh ignorin bess ,, an dah iz nat nice sheh iz a GUYANESE[?] like we !…suh hare is de ansah ….
how bowt u ,, bess since yuh suh “favoured” ! yuh shor iz nat flaovoured ?????????????????????????????????????????????????
You right but who gone take over – Trotman/Ramjattan? Bigest joke.
Yes, Mikey, ah chose to ignore bessy. Look is nah everything yah gat to reply to. Those who were blogging here from jumpstreet, know how I feel. Guyana First, politicians second. Tek that.
BTW, i thought u went golfing today bai
AFC all the way, the AFC is the only solution to send corbin and jagdeo to guh and chill out at red water creek lil bit.
Well Mr. Corbin you owed the people an explanation. Having a sore throat is a poor excuse. Even when people can’t talk, there are note pads, or your hand not working too. I believe you just wanted some sympathy because your leadership of the party was being challanged.