Latest update February 7th, 2025 10:13 AM
Latest News
- Pres. Ali defends Jagdeo’s attacks on critics
- VP Jagdeo tries to compare 75 acres of jungle lands Nigel Hughes wants to acquire with 35 acres of prime city lands sold to Ed Ahmad and others
- Greaves tells Govt ‘clean money’ used to acquire New York properties- Jagdeo
- Trump says Israel would hand Gaza to the US after fighting is over
- Speeding truck ploughs into house at Lusignan
Residents differ on demolition of old psychiatric hospital
The two historic buildings which stands tall in front of the new National Psychiatric Hospital, located in Fort Canje, Berbice, has now become the main source of spreading stigma about the institution- according to residents of New Amsterdam and Fort Canje.
Kaieteur News was fortunate enough to meet overseas-based Guyanese, Anita Rai; she claims to have lived in Georgetown her whole life before she migrated to the United States of America.
The historic building which was named after Queen Victoria and housed the National Psychiatric Hospital.
Earlier this month she had her first glimpse of the psychiatric facility.
Rai said that she and her family were making their way to the Number 63 Beach for the first time when they got a sudden scare upon seeing the buildings that once housed psychiatric patients.
“First time I’m coming over these bridges and I have fallen in love with the Canje Bridge which reminds me of Trinidad, I think it’s magnificent, but frankly, I can’t stand the look of the old mad house, it looks haunted and scary,” Rai lamented.
The woman added that she feels that it gives people an instant and negative perception of how the inmates live; in an inhumane environment that is.
Many believe that the said piece of history does no justice to the institution and should therefore be demolished just as the old New Amsterdam Hospital was.
Kaieteur News was made to understand that the building also contributes to “extra institutional activities” among the patients as well as outsiders.
Meanwhile, some elderly persons believe that the building reminds many of the “golden days” and should therefore be left as it is or be refurbished and put back into use.
“It is history. Many young people disregard history and what their fore parents went through, and as a reminder of that, the building should remain,” said an elderly Patsy Brown, a resident of New Amsterdam.
Persons closely associated with the hospital said that suggestions of demolishing the building which was named after Queen Victoria, was already brought forward to the Ministry of Health, under the administration of former health Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy.
Concerned citizens in the area are calling upon the new Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, to look into the issue and see what can be done.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
What Guyanese leaders can learn from Donald Trump
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News-There is little dispute that Donald Trump knows how to make an entrance. He does so without... more
OAS Secretary General Election and renewed OAS Consensus
Antiguan Barbudan Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- The upcoming election... more
Weekend Cartoon
