Submitted by Anthony Davis

Doctors are warning that shortages of basic and essential supplies will continue at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) with Government cutting the allocation to the already underfunded facility by another $10 million this year. “The Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners (BAMP) is calling for ‘necessary, decisive and corrective action to be taken now – Barbados Today

My, my, my, this “people-centred Government” is at it again!

However, it should come as no surprise to anyone who lives and works in this country – especially those in the middle and lower classes of our society – that that would happen. This “people-centred Government” has money to purchase high-end vehicles for the boys, and to pay two CEOs of two entities which were made out of one – although we only need one for such a small country, with the said CEOs now saying that they are advertising for more people so that they can get a piece of the action – but it has to cut the funding the QEH – the lone hospital on the island. This was once one of the leading facilities, if not the leading one, in the Caribbean.

The Minister of Finance doesn’t have to care because he can check into any of the private healthcare facilities in Barbados or elsewhere at the expense of the same people whom he is depriving of basic healthcare. There is also money available to build a Marina in Bridgetown for the rich, the famous and the bigoted.

There is no “cash flow problem” in order to facilitate the building of another upmarket hotel on Browne’s beach where, once again, the indigenous and other tourists will be prohibited – as they are now at Dover Beach which Sandals has taken over apparently as part of its sweetheart deal – from visiting.

The QEH is being short changed by $10 million because the Minister of Finance seems not to be able to find enough money to fund it properly, yet the Minister of Health, John Boyce is talking about building a new hospital “in the not too distant future”.

First of all, what do you term “the not too distant future”?

That gives you a lot of leeway if your plan ever comes to fruition, because you know full well that nothing is done without the blessings of the mMnister of Finance – and I have not heard one single word from him about this. This is therefore nothing more than a red herring,

It seems that they are looking to pump more money into that albatross called “all seasons” because they are saying that another set of people are looking at reviving it “soon”.

How much will it be this time?

Another $120 million?

Let me digress here!

Seeing the plight of Harriette Hackett, I am wondering if she is not some MP’s constituent? I have not heard one single politician offering to help the mother. What are the Welfare Department and National Housing there for? Is the squabble between the minister of Housing and the Minister of the Environment over, or was that just another red herring because there was no money to finish the projects which are for the lower echelons of our society?

Anything which would redound to the benefit of the lower echelons of our society is being discontinued or the funding for it is being cut so that it cannot function properly, yet “Barbados is alive and well”. I see how alive and well it is when i venture into Bridgetown. What saddens me most is that there are a number of females who have joined the mendicants on the streets of our capital. This will certainly lead to some of them being exploited, but there is no help because not even the mothers can get their maternity cheques although they paid in their NIS dues.

Is it right for a mother to be begging – child in hand – for money to buy pampers?

Again the question must be asked: What do we have a welfare department for?

Why are the fathers of these children allowed to get away with not paying for them?

Why does the law which allows for money to be taken out of the pay of Government employees, not apply to private sector employees?

Some of them are riding around in their high-end SUVs, yet they cannot pay the pittance which is due to the mothers of their children!

The QEH needs proper funding if not Dr. Dexter James may have to come and find excuses for its state if another visitor has to overnight there and highlights the pathetic state in which it is.

This time the QEH may be sued.

This Government promised a lot to get a second term, but: “Enemies’ promises are made to be broken.”

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David – Barbados Underground