COULD NYRON WONG HAVE BEEN SAVED?

Thursday, January 1^st 2004

 Dear Editor,

On December 26, in the early hours of the morning, a tragedy occurred when Nyron Wong was killed in an accident along Lamaha Street. He was my son’s best friend and the pain and hurt is still etched in my son’s face- and the anger at the lack of good medical attention which gave the two boys who died no chance to live.

 Nyron represented the flower of our youth; the energy and synergy of our future; the love of life and the will to live it; the prospects of a career in aviation and the dream of getting there; the comfort of youthful energy to a struggling mother and the love and happiness he provided to her lonesome self; the gift of loving life which he gave to his friends and acquaintances; and the flaws which all youth experience and which dents their youthful armour but eventually results in better and more meaningful adults.

 Imagine that these boys were taken to Mercy hospital and then to Public hospital because the former couldn’t treat them - like if the services at the Public are really any better. In his grief, my son told me that he is ashamed to think of himself as a Guyanese after it was reported that the victims were actually robbed while they lay there (and then the lack of good emergency care which gave them no chance at all).

 But read the good Minister’s statistics and we will all be told about the great improvements in his Ministry and all the wonderful things he is accomplishing but yet, here is a tragedy which could have had different outcome if we had a good ambulance system along with a real good trauma unit at both hospitals in Georgetown. We all try to console my son but it is difficult because he has lost a dear friend and companion to the vagaries of like itself. The mischief of robbing the accident victims at the scene of the accident is shameful, and it makes one ashamed to see what Guyana is sinking to.

 But if it isn’t the medical problems, it’s a problem with fire hydrants and the inability to fight fires properly. If it isn’t the water and the electricity problems, it’s a problem with our university which is falling apart. If it isn’t the crime and unemployment problems, it’s the problems with corruption and nepotism and I could go on ad infinitum.

How long can the Guyanese public continue to tolerate second and third rate parameters but those who run our country? When will the Nyrons of our country enjoy the benefits of a good and secure life with the essentials in place for out next generation?

 God bless you Nyron and keep you safe – rest in peace for you were definitely loved by dear friends and family – your death brings fresh look at life among your contemporaries and they will keep the torch burning for a better Guyana.

 Yours faithfully,

 Cheddi (Joey) Jagan (Jr.)