Gov’t of Guyana must pay for this brain surgery

Dear Editor,

The story about Ms Parbattie Austin having to raise funds for much needed brain surgery is a story about the violation of the right to free health care in Guyana. The Constitution of Guyana is clear.  Article 24 states that Every citizen is entitled to free medical attention. 

It is clear from the article that the issue seems not to be one of the lack of expertise in Guyana to perform the surgery. The neurosurgeon Dr Dukhi reportedly can perform the surgery at a private facility but not at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. 

The Government of Guyana must pay for this surgery, as they have done for many politicians and others who have had to seek treatment outside of the public health system.

And as Guyana gets the expertise in country to perform more complicated procedures, the Ministry of Public Health must investigate and invest in the upgrading of the facilities at GPHC to ensure that citizens do not have to go begging for money to stay alive and healthy.

Yours faithfully,
Vidyaratha Kissoon