Dear Editor,
The O.D.C, commonly known as the Ogle Diagnostic Centre, located in the compound of the Guysuco Head Office in Ogle was a health institution established in 1979 where the sugar workers along with their immediate families were entitled to free medical treatment and hospitalization.
It was an institution well equipped with a laboratory, X-ray department, kitchen, laundry room and a drugs bond. It was also equipped with two qualified doctors along with three shifts of nurses and a doctor on call living in the compound in the event of an emergency after hours.
The investment of some $47 billion on fixing the Skeldon Sugar Factory forced this centre to be closed in order to cut down on expenses.
Today, this factory which was to increase the employment rate and productivity in the sugar industry stands as a white elephant in Berbice.
The government wanted to replace man with machine causing us huge losses and still had to run back to good old man-power when the machines collapsed. President Ramotar in his many political meetings said the APNU+AFC are out to destroy the sugar industry in Guyana. Comrades, how can anyone destroy something that’s already gone to the dogs? Ramotar was the one who was on the board of Directors of Guysuco for donkey years when Nanda Gopaul was Chairman, and when they threatened to ban GAWU. Under their leadership, production fell to an all-time low. The 500,000 tons promised since 2010 remains a pipe dream.
Today, sugar workers are losing corn and husk: both the better sugar factory and the free medical attention at sugar estate medical centres.
Since the closure of the diagnostic centre in Ogle to facilitate the Skeldon Sugar Factory, the sugar workers are punishing especially those cane cutters injured on the job. The diagnostic centre was the fastest mode of treatment as that’s what it was there for, to take care of sugar workers. Without the Ogle Diagnostic Centre the injured workers are now taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital.
The PPP/C ads boast of job opportunities yet we can find a lot of laid off nurses and other staff members of the diagnostic centre. I ask you here? Do you think this PPP government cares about the health of the sugar workers? No! Because when their leaders get lil belly wuk they fly off in their private jet to some fancy hospital, and they do new teeth job overseas. But we in Guyana have to double up on local hospital beds. We have to shut up and take what is offered. Today when they tell lies that the Opposition wants to close Guysuco, let them know that we are sensible. Not only has this government mis-handled the sugar industry. It has ruined the excellent medical attention that sugar workers and their families were getting.
The closure of Ogle Diagnostic centre is just one example of this. The closure of many community centres is another. Look around and see what’s happening to our youth in sugar estate areas where there used to be good community centres!
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address supplied)
