Dear Editor,
Today, I read of yet another death in Guyana that perhaps could have been avoided but for a lack of some basic education. Reports are that a young boy drowned while a few persons in the area refused to help, although eventually a lady got two passers-by to assist. A couple of months ago we read of a mother who accidentally overdosed her children with senna pods. I am not saying that all lives would be saved, but I am sure that tragedy could and would be avoided in many cases if people knew what to do. Perhaps the Ministry of Health is doing something to educate the population in these matters, but I believe that more can and should be done. I therefore suggest the following:
1. That the Ministry of Health produce videos on basic health care and protection against certain diseases, how to perform CPR, what to do if someone has nearly drowned, or has a heart attack, shows symptoms of a stroke, etc;
2. That all television stations dedicate a certain amount of programming every week as a public service to health education, which should include showing these videos and/or similar health education programmes;
3. That the Ministry of Health in conjunction with the appropriate ministries/authorities makes sure that all fire-fighters and police officers are trained in CPR, how to rescue drowning victims, etc; and
4. That the Ministry of Health organize demonstrations of these life-saving methods and the viewing of the videos in all public schools and villages throughout the country.
These are just a few ideas, and I am sure that other readers and health professionals will have a lot of other, if not better suggestions. I encourage everyone, therefore, to write to the Ministry of Health and encourage them to do more. Who knows, your suggestion may save a life one day – perhaps your own!
Yours faithfully,
Mohamed Z. Rahaman
