Foreign Affairs Ministry contacts Trinidad Gov’t following death of Guyanese

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.