Plasma treatments, Cotton Tree confessions, police rescue and asphalt plant charges
>>> Encouraging Events, Disrupting Developments <
By GHK Lall
Kaieteur News – Today I will talk about positive things alone, in the midst of a world of unlimited concerns and negatives. I am looking for some way to lift myself up and others as well.
The first encouraging news came from Dr. Mahendra Carpen, Head of Medical Services at the GPHC, with a report that at least 50 people have benefited from the COVID-19 convalescent plasma treatment administered at the hospital. This is particularly encouraging because plasma treatment is only given to patients who are highly critical. My thinking is that, given their condition, this plasma treatment is certainly a lifesaver for many of them. I think that in the absence of this plasma treatment, given the “highly critical” condition of the patients, it is highly likely that some of them may have gone. In Drs. Carpen and Pedro Lewis (Head of NBTS), our appreciation for working together to participate in this process of rapping the blood of once infected pandemic patients and working diligently through the sensitive compatibility issues to come find the right matches. I should mention that the prestigious Mayo Clinic stated that “Antibody-rich plasma treatment reduced COVID-19 patient mortality: the Mayo Clinic study” (New York Post, January 14). Mayo Clinic researchers elaborated: “Early administration of high-titer recovery plasma against SARS-CoV-2 … reduced the progression of COVID-19.” And also those patients who received antibody-rich plasma in the first three days of treatment showed better results. It is very encouraging that, as this memorial battle continues, we here in Guyana are constantly looking for ways to leverage our limited resources and work with what we have to provide relief in the this medical emergency.
It encourages a breakthrough in the horrific Cotton Tree murders that provoked so much ugliness in that part of the country, and further afield, when the whole thing is reviewed. Although I am always hesitant and careful with confessions, especially from a hardened criminal like the one I take to be the primary perpetrator, this long-awaited development must resonate in that community and across this society. A drug situation that took a terrible turn was one of the more significant floating speculations, and there is now apparent confirmation that that is the case. I would be heartened even more if this catches up, and does not prove to be a false alarm leading to a dead end.
Then, that photo and the encouraging news item of two members of Guyana Police stepped into the water, at some risk to themselves, to save a citizen, who probably would not have drowned had it not been for their thoughtful and bold intervention. The GPF has been the object of a barrage of criticism from most corners, so this rescue development is something that should help boost the image of the police. More quality work by GPF members in the many areas of its extensive responsibilities would go a long way in putting the organization in a better position in the minds of the watching hearts of citizens.
Next, I read that the Demerara Harbor Bridge Corporation Board of Directors has recommended that action be taken against those who can be blamed in the Asphalt Plant racket. We have to start somewhere, by sending hard messages that will not be tolerated where corruption is involved. This is regardless of who is in the middle, be it the people of the previous government, or those associated with the current one. This is the only way that taxpayers will get some value for their money, and that effective restraints will be in place to make potential scoundrels in the workplace think twice about taking a chance and helping themselves. As the Guyanese know, there are many public service skulls that plague this country. Some effort must be made to put the brakes on these running practices in government after government. Act and punish the culprit. I’m all for that, and the more the better.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper.)