Submitted by Bajan Truth
Life is uncertain. Despite our concerns about the country, I want to wish the PM well and our prayers go with him and his family at this very difficult time. We trust that it is not as serious as it came over on TV. But it sends a strong reminder to us as men, about the uncertainty of life and how important it is for us to take care of our health. We think of Smokey Burke, the guy from Square One, and others who struggle at this time with serious health issues. Early checks are so important because as men we are important to the stability, protection and provision for our families, and in the PM’s case to the party. Perhaps yearly check-ups for leaders should be instituted here. I want to encourage every man, get early checks, take care of your health, watch the diet. A country or region can lose valuable talent needed for its development. I think of Stephen Alleyne, Bradley Niles, the brother of Lionel Nurse; Aubrey Cummings, Rex Nettleford. The roll call could go on.
It reinforces the fact that we need a state of the art hospital facility with specialised medical skills, to offer our citizens affordable specialised care. How many large sums of money are spent on tests, surgeries and treatments overseas? How many times we have responded as Barbadians to fund-raising appeals to pay for expensive but necessary treatment abroad?
We can lay hold of this niche to provide not only for Barbadians but other West Indians with the potential to sell these services further afield. Billions of dollars are earned by India doing just that. We can too. It would provide our medical graduates with opportunities for pursuing specialised fields and getting returns on this investment without having to leave our shores. It would provide greater diversity in our tourism product. Its success could provide higher pay for our nurses who are currently underpaid, and thus attract more persons to the profession. Also it can fuel the growth of demand for other medical services such as physiotherapists, dieticians, physical trainers and spa services.
I have confidence in us as Barbadians especially in our professionals to undertake the development of a health tourism programme. Perhaps now the Minister of Health is freer he can turn his attention to this vital decision – new hospital or not? Together with Mr. Sealy they can develop and implement a ground breaking sector. The BLP talked about it, but was not started. So make a mark. Pick it back up and get the plan left there, and put it in action. Include Mr. Benn, so agriculture and health could evolve a supporting natural health programme giving agriculture a new lease on life. You may need to lower cost of water though.
I applaud Ms. Mottley for putting side political issues and wishing him well. The media still needs to grow up, CBC did not carry Ms. Mottley’s remarks, neither did the Advocate. Kudos to VOB for doing so, and the Nation, although it was not well displayed.
We hope that the diagnosis for Prime Minister Thompson is not as dire as projected. The question however, is whether the PM’s sickness is indicative of what is symptomatic in the Bajan men’s attitude to health? Is this a wake up call to men?
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