Is Corbin’s illness being used for political propaganda?

May 11, 2009 Letters

DEAR Editor,

It is interesting how some sections of the media are giving full publicity to Mr. Robert Corbin’s medical arrangement and, in particular, the Government has made no bones to advertise the fact that they are paying for all his medical expenses, and have even descended by giving details and cost.

In our cultural environment, it is always considered rather banal and inappropriate to make capital a man’s health circumstances.

Indeed it can be rather distasteful.

One therefore has to worry about the timing of this media blitz and notice the statement that the Government would always assist past and current holders of high constitutional offices, and one wonders, whether Corbin is merely being used by the Government as a convenient propaganda.

I was at a meeting when I heard the former Prime Minister and present Mayor of Georgetown state categorically, that when he had experienced a similar medical problem a few years ago, even though the Head of State and others were fully knowledgeable had around the same time assisted a former Minister of Government (PPP/C) with a similar condition.

The Head of the Presidential Secretariat in the spirit of openness and truth must say if this is true, or is it the case that the Mayor, because he has proudly stood his ground is different from a former PPP Minister, in so far as medical assistance is concerned.

Nigel Bacchus