Dear Editor
I am at pains to ask whether the Leader of the Opposition Andrew Holness will do or say anything in an effort to get into Jamaica House. When it's not the plan to abolish auxiliary fees, there is the issue of free Internet.
The latest in Holness's quest for power is the posting of a picture on his Facebook page with an obviously sick person lying in a bed at the Kingston Public Hospital. He posted the picture on his page with the following caption: "This is the situation in some of our hospitals. The audit report will never capture the indignity our health care system serves out to the poor who must use the service, like this picture does!"
We all know that we have a broken health care system in Jamaica, and I am convinced that this is due in part to the removal of user fees. However, what we see playing out here is Holness using the issue of health care to score cheap political points. That he would seemingly violate the privacy of this patient is unbecoming of anyone seeking the office of prime minister. It is shameless and vulgar. It is sad that Holness could be so reckless, disrespectful and insulting to the poor and vulnerable. Even if he had given permission to post the picture, Holness, in his wisdom or lack thereof, should have known that you don't parade a person's illness in social media in the name of politics.
In an attempt to gain political traction, the leader of the Opposition has embarrassed a vulnerable Jamaican. This is a perfect example of being part of the problem and not part of the solution. Despite the condition in our hospitals, no family deserves to be dragged across social media.
Ralston Chamberlain
Ontario, Canada
ralston.chamberlain@alum.utoronto.ca
Shame on you, Holness
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I am at pains to ask whether the Leader of the Opposition Andrew Holness will do or say anything in an effort to get into Jamaica House. When it's not the plan to abolish auxiliary fees, there is the issue of free Internet.
The latest in Holness's quest for power is the posting of a picture on his Facebook page with an obviously sick person lying in a bed at the Kingston Public Hospital. He posted the picture on his page with the following caption: "This is the situation in some of our hospitals. The audit report will never capture the indignity our health care system serves out to the poor who must use the service, like this picture does!"
We all know that we have a broken health care system in Jamaica, and I am convinced that this is due in part to the removal of user fees. However, what we see playing out here is Holness using the issue of health care to score cheap political points. That he would seemingly violate the privacy of this patient is unbecoming of anyone seeking the office of prime minister. It is shameless and vulgar. It is sad that Holness could be so reckless, disrespectful and insulting to the poor and vulnerable. Even if he had given permission to post the picture, Holness, in his wisdom or lack thereof, should have known that you don't parade a person's illness in social media in the name of politics.
In an attempt to gain political traction, the leader of the Opposition has embarrassed a vulnerable Jamaican. This is a perfect example of being part of the problem and not part of the solution. Despite the condition in our hospitals, no family deserves to be dragged across social media.
Ralston Chamberlain
Ontario, Canada
ralston.chamberlain@alum.utoronto.ca
Shame on you, Holness
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