Dear Editor,
Permit me to engage in a brief dialogue with Minister of Health, Social Development and Labor VSA Richinel Brug. Minister, my message to you may come as a surprise, but there is no need to be astonished. I have forgiven you, shortly after you took office in November of last year, so now I can communicate to you on a level that is mature and fair-minded.
Nevertheless, I still do not agree with the manner in which you negotiated your way into the position as a minister, but that is water under the bridge. Having expressed my thoughts from then to present, there are two major reasons for this discourse, which I hope that you would take my (and many others’) concerns into consideration for continuous deliberations and eventual solutions.
First, I want to commend you on your consistent effort and determination to improve your ministry, so that the people can have a better way of life, as you envisioned the challenges that are plaguing this community. Top of the list was the announcement for SZV to reopen its doors for seniors. That was a brilliant move! Just the other day, a senior asked me to do something so simple on her phone, and I was very surprised that it was a challenge for her.
Second, I wished to highlight some issues that would demand your immediate attention for future prevention: It has been a constant discussion in private that the Colgate that is being imported is destroying the customers’ teeth. I’m amazed that so many persons are disgruntled about the same thing. Are you familiar with this complaint, Minister Brug? If you are not aware, how do you plan on tackling this growing concern?
Is this an indication of counterfeit products, or are harmful ingredients being added to this specific item? As a health minister, are you engaged in checking on the authenticity of food and beauty/care products? Does it concern you that a large percentage of these items comes out of China, a country that is labelled for producing fake items? And why is there only one brand of toothpaste in so many of these supermarkets? Where are the other types that we accustomed to?
Third, since the pandemic, there has been a rapid increase in heart attacks. Have you looked into the real causes of these incidents? And very surprisingly, strokes have become an epidemic. What is causing this issue that is now common place in our society, Minister Brug?
As the Minister of Health, do you take time to ensure that the quality of air that we breathe is up to standard? Even though emissions from the sanitary landfill are not visible, does that impact our health in a way that warrants attention?
Another health issue that has become very prevalent is the fact that so many persons are blind or getting blind. Maybe 15 to 20 years ago, I knew of 1 or 2 persons who are blind. Now, it is a regular occurrence. What is causing this rapid and unusual shift in our community, minister?
At one time, I recalled a contractor describing a particular chemical that is added to the concrete, I believe. Does this have an effect on our health? And, would this trigger your interest to investigate this type of chemical that is used in modern construction and its impact on humans, if any?
There are so many unusual health complications that have multiplied over the past few years, and with no valid explanations. Families are just left to accept whatever is being told to them. Is this fair to the community, Minister Brug? Just to reiterate, maybe 3 to 4 years ago, a friend of mine called to tell me that her ex-coworker is blind. When I asked how come, she said that he did an eye operation at the hospital and he went blind.
The sad thing is that the family just has to accept it. How is this possible? What consequence did this eye specialist face and what preventative measures are put in place so that this gross negligence does not repeat itself? One can hear so many different stories of a similar nature and the families are just left to suffer.
Have you paid attention to how some of the elderly are being abused by a young family member, who collects their pension, but keeps it for themselves? Even their food they have to hide, otherwise they will stay hungry all day. Minister Brug, you need to have a campaign on this matter, and find a way to visit persons who you feel could be victims of such injustice. It is more rampant than you think.
I can say more, but I’ll keep it there for now. Minister Brug, continue to assess and address the challenges within your ministry, in order to improve the standard of living for the people of this country.
Joslyn Morton
