By Fareeza Haniff
[www.inewsguyana.com] – Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has made contact with the Trinidad government, following the death of a Guyanese tourist who was refused medical treatment in the twin Island Republic.
This is according to subject Minister, Carolyn Rodrigues – Birkett. When contacted on the issue, the Minister told iNews (www.inewsguyana.com) that “We have asked the Trinidadian Government for information on the matter and they have advised that an investigation is being conducted. The Honorary Consul will be meeting with the family as well.”
Minister Rodrigues – Birkett also expressed her condolences to the family and friends of Jeetindra Sookram. She said it was a “very unfortunate incident.”
The 35-year-old Guyanese national died of a suspected heart attack an hour after he was denied treatment at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex because he was not a T&T citizen.
Sookram was then rushed to the Charlieville Medical Centre Ltd for treatment, but died in the back seat of a Nissan Navarra in the private clinic’s Caroni Savannah Road, Chaguanas car park on Thursday. Doctors there said his symptoms suggested he suffered a massive heart attack, as he had complained about severe chest pains.
“I think it is negligence that caused him to not have a chance. I can’t understand how tourists can come into this country and get treated like this,” Sookram’s partner, Vidya Baichu, told the Trinidad media.
Baichu and Sookram, a farmer from the Guyanese island of Wakenaam, had been on a two-week vacation in Trinidad and was staying at their friend Melissa Deosaran’s Warren Road, Cunupia home.
