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Taking control of your health Jul 18, 2024 Editorial Kaieteur News – It is said that the health of a nation has some bearing on the wealth of a nation. It is also said that a healthy nation has people, who for the most part, are in good physical and mental health that makes them capable of producing at a high level. However, it seems that Guyana has become an increasingly unhealthy nation due to lifestyle changes that have led to chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs). NCDs continue to take a heavy toll on the population and have incurred huge costs on the health care system. The situation has reached crisis levels with more than 80 percent of the adult population having been diagnosed with at least one health disorder.The issue of an unhealthy population has attracted little discussion in the country. It is true that an unwell population leads to the loss of production and poorer government services. However, the health problems facing the nation can easily be changed or improved not only by government intervention, but also by the citizens taking responsibility for their health disorders. And some of these are obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. There seems to be a reluctance of many to take their medical condition seriously. In general, most Guyanese tend to view the curing of their illness to be the responsibility of doctors and nurses instead of their own. The old saying that prevention is better that cure is a stern reminder that the authorities have to do more than just issue warnings about the seriousness of NDCs and their consequences on the nation and the health system. In the interest of all, they have to take decisive action and restrict the importation of junk food into the country and instead promote the usage of more homegrown foods such as vegetables, fruits, and fish. Yams, cassava, plantains, eddoes, bananas, mangoes, coconuts, papaw, fish and other local fruits and vegetables are healthy diets. They could have a measurable impact on the health of the citizens in that they could help reduce obesity, diabetes and hypertension. In addition, not only is it patriotic but it is also a noble cause for a nation to consume what it produces. One of the benefits of communication technology is the instant access to information that has allowed Guyana with a health problem to look at how other countries are grappling with the same disease and to adopt the best practices that can improve the situation at home. An appreciation for local food to reduce obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure would make the nation much healthier. It could also help to preserve the nation’s identity and culture, improve production, reduce imports and increase foreign earnings. Decisive action is needed by the authorities to prevent the undermining of the public health system in the country. Junk food is food that is calorie-dense and nutrient poor. Recently, the consumption of junk food in Guyana increased dramatically, with 35 percent of the population now consuming predominantly junk food diets daily from the influx of several restaurants into the country. This trend has occurred concurrently with the rising epidemics of numerous chronic diseases which increase the risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other chronic diseases. Those who consume fast food as a regular part of their diets are consuming a far greater amount of fat, carbohydrates and processed sugar and less fiber than those who do not eat fast food regularly. Eating junk food is risking our health. Related Similar Articles

I WISH Jul 18, 2024 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom Kaieteur News – I would love to live to one hundred years. Beyond that my limbs and joints would have become calcified, cataract surgery would be impossible as my sight declines and even if I could survive the operation, my memory would fade. That would be the right time for me to go and meet my Maker. But before then, I would love to spend the remaining days of my life in Guyana where the sun shines everyday and where even on the highest mountain peaks, it is bearable. I would love to live in a new capital, located somewhere on the banks of the Essequibo River. I would love to wake up each morning to the birds chirping, and to see and experience the dew on the grass. I would love nothing better than to have a window looking out to the rising morning sun and when evening sets to experience that wonderful sunset that can only be found in Guyana. I would love to be able to swim in the warm creeks until the day I die and to sit all day under a tree, read a good book or find a faithful companion who will not run off – as is the case so often these days – with someone else. I would love to grow old gracefully and hope that the NIS does not close down before I receive my benefits. I hope that no new sickness afflicts me since this would mean my automatic disqualification from benefits from the NIS. I hope to have the privacy to bathe at least once every three months in the rain without the police hauling me over for indecent exposure despite me having on my underpants. I would love to sit in the evenings and enjoy the cool nights under a lovely starry sky, reminisce on the day gone by and the days long gone. I would love to do the things that I never had the time to do in my younger days. I would love to collect stamps, to learn the art of barbering and how to finally play the guitar. That surely cannot be asking too much. I would love to see hydro-electricity come to Guyana, but not Amaila.  Too many promises have been made, too many dreams have been abandoned. It looks as if we will finally have hydro-electricity, cheap current as they say. I hope that those who will inherit this cheap energy and use it in their homes and factories will be willing to pay for it and not have the GPL running after them. I hope that I can travel by road all the way to Boa Vista and from there join the trans- continental highway all the way to Argentina. But I hope more than anything else to return to Guyana, where each day, there is sunshine and lovely people. I hope that the new generation of Guyanese people never forget to cook their cultural foods. What would Guyana be without its foods? What would Guyana be without Banks Beer and El Dorado rum? I would love to see more of the interior of Guyana. I would love to see roads open up this interior to more people so that they can appreciate what they have and stop dreaming of a better life overseas because the best life is here in Guyana. I would love to see the people of Guyana stop fighting around politics. I would love to see politics bring people together rather than divide them. I would love to see everybody being happy. I would love to see a railway to Lethem. This will be great for travel and tourism. I would love to see a railway line also run along the Corentyne River so as to open up more lands and then veer over the river to link up with Suriname. From there, you can travel by good roads all the way to French Guiana. I would love to see more tourists come to Guyana and create jobs for our people and fill the hotel rooms. But I would not like to see more white elephants constructed at great expense to the people of Guyana. Guyana needs its present hotels to be filled; it does not need any new massive hotel. I would love to see all those specialty services that are being provided by private hospitals and by some new hospital which is to be constructed to be done by the public health system so that when my time comes for some major surgery, my little savings do not have to go to private individuals who are going to make a great deal of money if specialist health care is put in the hands of those who already have more money than they can spend. I would love for the owners of the Canje and Kaieteur blocks to return them to the country so that all of my wishes can come true. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.) Related Similar Articles

Jagdeo must explain the dangerous tripling of the capping stack deployment time Jul 18, 2024 Letters Dear Editor, I am most elated by VP Jagdeo’s hullabaloo surrounding the arrival of the capping stack in Guyana, since it finally brings attention to the constant raising of my dreaded concern about the Government’s dangerous tripling of the stack’s deployment time to 9 days from the 3 days decided upon by the Coalition Government and Exxon, which was enshrined into the Payara permit. It also brings further exposure to Jagdeo’s overbearing ignorance about matters he has no right speaking about, and so, would no doubt serve the country well, if he keeps his mouth shut and stop misleading the people. The capping stack is a very heavy (up to 50 to 100 tons) piece of equipment designed to be placed on top of a well as a lid to stop an occurring blowout when the blowout preventer fails. Its creation came about during the disastrous BP Macondo well blowout which spilled over 5 million barrels of oil for87 days until a ‘makeshift’ capping stack was invented and applied; but has undergone significant advances in design over the past 14 years since Macondo, for achieving early shutoff of such future blowouts. Therefore, anyone without being an oil expert, would immediately realize that the topmost consideration must be, to get the capping stack to the blowout well in the lowest amount of time possible, for any delay could result in over 60,000 barrels of oil spilled into the ocean, each day, as in the case of the Macondo. In his pitiable cluelessness, Jagdeo irresponsibly and uncaringly calls my expressed concern “quibbling”. Consequently, in 2020, Dr. Mark Bynoe, then Head of the Guyana Department of Energy and yours truly, engaged Exxon in discussions to ensure the minimum deployment time is attained. Exxon first proposed time of 20 days was immediately rejected, to be followed by our doggedness until we arrived at a deployment time of 3 days with the understanding that this could only be achieved if stationed in south Trinidad. Guyana was our preferred choice, but because of logistical reasons, could not come close to the 3-day time. Nevertheless, we directed Exxon to develop a plan where stationing in Guyana would meet or beat that minimum 3-daytime period. The bottom-line is that it was all about the fastest deployment time, no matter from whence it came. Though we were the ones to have first facilitated this equipment, and not Jagdeo, as he has been hot dogging, we found it professionally unnecessary to advertise and create any fuss about it, since was part of our normal duty to the nation. This 3-day time period was hence, immediately enshrined in the EPA original Payara permit prepared under my watch and signed in September 2020, while I was on leave. Inexplicably, it came to fore that this original permit was secretly modified in June 2023 to triple the deployment time from 3 days to 9 days – a modification with a potential consequence of an additional hundreds of thousands oil being gushed into the ocean in that extra 6-day period. That notwithstanding, that modified permit and the others to follow, also callously removed the requirement for re-injection of the billions of barrels of hot, toxic, radioactive and oil contaminated water, replacing with the dumping of this water into the ocean; and removed the prohibition of gas flaring. At the same time, the VP has been madly waving Exxon on to continue to recklessly exceed the safe oil production rate as prescribed in the Environmental Impact Assessment; hence, enhancing the chances of an oil spill, while joined at the hip with Exxon to fight against full liability coverage to cover and oil spill, and while tripling deployment time of the capping stack to prolong an oil spill. Is this what Jagdeo ignorantly and uncaringly calls tightened environmental regulations! Is there any more evidence that needs providing to show him to be nothing but a bluff and propagandist who only cares about his self-interest and not about the Guyanese people? I am willing to bet anything that this man has never looked at a permit, so, he shoots from the hip and pulls stuff out of the air, and therefore must not be taken seriously. It is important to know that a capping stack requires meticulously dedicated attention for its maintenance for readiness without notice. However, it is troubling to note that despite all of the VP’s media hype, the stack is reported to be temporarily stored some place on the East Bank of Demerara, with promises to be relocated to the Vreed-en-Hoop shore base when it is completed. How in heavens name could a critical piece of equipment of this nature be brought into the country and put on show with such fanfare without a sound plan for readiness!! It also begs the following questions: (1) what is the capability of the temporary stationing to meet the needs for proper maintenance for readiness for purpose? (2) when would it be relocated to its permanent facility and what would be that facility’s readiness for purpose? And (3) most importantly, was the maximum 3-day safety deployment sacrificed to have it brought to Guyana to be stationed in a facility owned by friends, families or favourites? This question is not farfetched when considering that the oil production safety limit is also being sacrificed for greed. Sincerely, Dr. Vincent Adams Related Similar Articles

What about the water and sewage systems? Jul 18, 2024 Letters Dear Editor, It is great to hear news of the planned continued development of the road network and the extensive rehabilitation of the current road infrastructure. The water system and the sewage system are also in need of repair and improvement. Doing so before repairing some of the roads will prevent increased spending, by not having to dig up the renovated roads in order to fix any damage to the underground water and sewage lines. Georgetown is in urgent need of new water lines and sewage lines. Other areas have similar issues. Not too long ago, sewage and water mixed in the Timehri area. CRG recommends that the Government develop and implement a comprehensive plan to renovate and improve the water and sewage systems before renovating the roads that would be impacted. It is also an opportunity to expand these systems to the Greater Georgetown area and remove the need for the use of septic tanks. The expanded systems will also need sewage treatment plants. This type of investment will help improve the standard of living of the Guyanese people. Allowing for safe drinking water in every home and a cleaner environment where sewage is prevented from entering the surrounding environment when flooding occurs. Best regards, Mr. Jamil Changlee Related Similar Articles

The recall letter was delivered to the Speaker of the House Jul 18, 2024 Letters Dear Editor, Thank you for sharing my missives with the general public, about the Asha Kissoon squatting in parliament fiasco. Your public sharing has opened a veritable Pandora’s Box which seems intertwined with many Machiavellian twists. This has acutely piqued the interest of our tax paying public as the finger-pointing- “dem seh, he seh”- colloquialism is hurtling back and forth. On July 12, 2024, in a published letter, one of GECOM Commissioners, Mr. Vincent Alexander, detailed the internal GECOM conflict and the undignified way that this Asha Kissoon’s ignominy is playing out. Additionally, in the public space is a transmitted video, purportedly, of Mr. Vincent Alexander adding opprobrium to this ruination.  Mr. Vincent Alexander pellucidly elaborated on how the protocol is set and should be adhered to.  Again, on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, News Source published a story that on Monday, July 15, 2024, the Clerk of the Assembly, Mr. Sherlock Isaacs was contacted and Mr. Isaacs contended that if such a letter was sent to the Speaker of the National Assembly from the Representative of the TNM List, then that would be sufficient to recall Dr. Kissoon from Parliament. Mr. Isaac’s is correct. BUT he is assuming that no such letter was sent to the Speaker of the House, Mr. Manzoor Nadir or perhaps, he is unaware that the letter was indeed handed to Mr. Nadir. Editor, this letter exists in the public domain and was reported on in various media outlets. For unambiguity, the details are herein. On March 14,2024, the Asha Kissoon’s recall letter was penned and signed by Dr. Gerald Forde, TMN Leader of the list, and on March 15,2024, HAND DELIVERED to the Office of Speaker of the House, Mr. Manzoor Nadir. In the presence of the courier, Mr. Manzoor Nadir acknowledged receipt and instructed his Personal Secretary to sign for the received letter. Editor, suffice it to say, this interminable prolix is causing the Tax Payers Dollars, to again, be directly or indirectly, squandered recklessly by the negligence of certain factions in GECOM AND the dithering temporization of the Speaker of the House, Mr. Manzoor Nadir. Editor, as in Guyana’s Parliamentary Administrative Construction, the President handpicks the Speaker of the House with the expectation that the Speaker of the House will be impartial in the execution of his job portfolio. Since this current chaotic entropy is infecting the public, I am humbly requesting the intervention of President Ali and anticipate remediation of this grievous situation.  The espoused “One Guyana” initiative is under the microscope. All are watching. Thank you. Sincerely, Jonathan Subrian Esq. Related Similar Articles

Let us show respect to each other Jul 18, 2024 Letters Dear Editor, Enough of sad, sordid and sickening episodes. Recently, my husband and I (pensioners) sat on the seawall (obliquely opposite the band stand), chatting and enjoying the fresh air. A minibus drove up and parked near where we were sitting. A man, woman and three young children came out. The children ran around playing under the watchful eyes of the adults (no doubt, their parents). Not long after they began playing soft (Indian) music. My husband and I continued chatting, then the woman approached us and said something like this: “we hope the music isn’t disturbing you, because we see you are chatting, and we don’t want that…because you are elderly folks and we have to show respect to the elderly…” Wow!! I was floored! The music, playing softly, was in no way a bother to us! It was indeed touching to see in 2024, expressions of such neighbourliness, respect and thoughtfulness of others!! She continued…” we have to show respect because we want others to respect us…”This was so unlike some, who at the western end of the sea wall (near the Marriott hotel) see it fit, from time to time, to bombard the atmosphere with thunderous sounds emanating from the trunk of their vehicles as if they owned the entire area, unmindful of the fact that they are assaulting the ears of persons who go there to relax, and do not care for their choice of music! May we as families, communities, a Nation, make every effort to treat each other with consideration and respect, regardless of face, race, religious or political affiliation. Regards, Claudia Heywood Related Similar Articles

Failure of agriculture Jul 18, 2024 Letters Dear Editor, The failure of agriculture is evident everywhere around the country. Productivity has declined everywhere. Agriculture has been virtually destroyed over the last four years. People are not planting the way they once did. Much land is not planted, lying fallow. Most of the population are worse off today than four years ago. Shortages abound with high prices for local produce. There is a shortage of rice and sugar. In fact, sugar is imported and repackaged as Demerara sugar. Guyana sugar is sold for less abroad than in Guyana; local consumers are overcharged to help out GuySuCo which has been producing at worst levels, way below half the productivity than under the coalition regime. Price of rice has gone up like every other item; restaurants and consumers are complaining. In addition to shortages of rice and sugar, there is a shortage of fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are being imported and selling at lower prices than home grown Guyanese products. Chicken is also in shortage and being imported with poultry farmers complaining of huge losses from deaths of chicken. Restaurants have been complaining about scarcity of chicken and high costs. Farmers complain that they can’t afford the high cost of chicken feed to raise chicken; imported eggs for hatchery are of inferior quality. Mutton is also being imported. Ideally, the temporary flow of oil wealth should have been used to strengthen the agriculture sector because historically it has been the backbone of the economy. When oil is gone, the country will depend on agriculture for survival as it has for time immemorial. One does not know where and how the oil money has been spent in the Ministry of Agriculture.  Is the Ministry serving as a conduit to pass on wealth to certain individuals? What has been going on with the pump stations where billions of dollars have been spent? And how about the huge amount of money spent on kokers, sheet piling, and drainage and irrigation at NDIA? Poor infrastructure work led to destruction of rice, sugar cane and other food crops as well as the death of tens of thousands of cattle and pigs and countless poultry. Farmers lost huge amounts of money; they skipped one rice crop because of uncertain weather patterns and lack of financial support from the government. Contractors made out like bandits without shame. There was hardly any transparency and accountability. Expensive sports vehicles, including Bentley, Rolls Royce, Benz, Prados were purchased. Some individuals became owners of multiple mansions equipped with luxury interiors and equipment; the Pradoville II mansion (Goedverwagting) can hardly be compared with new mansions rising up including one at Bloomfield. What is the VP doing about limitless corruption? He talks a good talk but there has been no action to clamp down on the corrupt. Yours truly, Hemwatie Churaman Related Similar Articles