The Hypocritical Oath

I don't know that I have ever found myself being in agreement with Dr. Kriyaan Singh, because while he may have a unique perspective, his need to be extreme for whatever inadequacies he may have in life is not always necessary or justified. That being said, after learning of his comments regarding those men accused of kidnapping two doctors and causing the death of one, in south Trinidad yesterday, I believe that he should have brought in by the San Fernando General Hospital to consult in the treatment of those men. Because not only do the staff at those hospitals often find themselves inundated with patients who did not bring about their ailments in such a selfish manner, and therefore would have freed up the staff to tend to those law abiding citizens. But as a distinguished veterinarian, he would have insight that no other medical professional possesses at that facility. Because while a doctor is duty bound to preserve life as best they could, a vet knows when something needs to be put down to prevent any further suffering and anguish for those around it. 

Almost twenty-fours after the tragedy was first reported on however, the nation has yet to receive any statement on the matter by the Ministry of Health, the Minister, the Prime Minister or any other government official. Overlooking any political affiliation Dr. Sharma may be vaguely connected to, which should have no bearing in any case, both men who were kidnapped are in fact doctors working in a state run facility and had just finished their shifts when this tragedy befell them. I kid you not, the social media page for the Ministry of Health this morning issued a warning for persons not to venture outside because of the threat of the sun; because that is somehow more dangerous and more avoidable than criminal and bullets. And the only official release sent out on the matter came from the South West Regional Health Authority, not so much to offer their sympathies to the families of these two doctors, but rather as a disclaimer to assuage any concern regarding the security at their facilities. Moreover, this appears to be more of a response to the fact that it was only seven weeks ago that a patient of the Port-of-Spain hospital was murdered in his bed by two armed assailants, and another attack on the grounds of a public health facility would only create add to the growing panic that exists across the nation.

You may recall an incident in November last year, when the students at a school in East Port-of-Spain were forced to dodge stray bullets that were ricocheting inside of their classrooms. In an immediate response to the unlawful act being perpetrated by the criminals that reside in the area, the government of this nation decided to reinforce the classrooms with concrete louvres as protection for the presumptive next occurrence. Similarly, after the incident of the kidnapping occurred yesterday, the security at the San Fernando hospital placed their security on high alert, despite later saying that the abduction did not occur on their compound. The problem is that not only are these remedies surface level at best, but rather, that no effort is being placed in crime prevention, meaning that the government appears complacent while allowing these crimes to continue. As such, not only does this do little in preventing future crimes from being committed, but it also emboldens criminals who believe that they are in control of this country. And listening to the Attorney General talk about how the Sedition Act is meant to quell any future insurrection, demonstrates his ignorance to the fact that the criminals have already effected a coup of this entire country. 

It will be interesting to see if those whose undertaking it is to tally the murders that occur are inclined to add the death of Dr. Sharma to their list, given the manner in which his untimely end came about. Moreover, is what charges will the prosecution pursue once those responsible for the doctor's demise are fully tended too and discharged from his former place of employment. Because while kidnapping, larceny, gun possession and manslaughter are crimes that all come with heavy penalties, they are all rather lenient when compared with murder in the first degree which not many would deny they're guilty of committing. And as such, while the police and the medical staff are all to be commended in carrying out their duties to the letter in this matter, I am sure there are those who would have understood if bureaucracy and incompetence played a greater role just this once. Because, as the saying goes, "No good deed goes unpunished", and as such, there is way to know what the consequences of fully recuperating these individuals may incur. 

Best regards,

Ravi Balgobin Maharaj