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Jagdeo benefits from pension package
…state to foot multi-million-dollar medical cost
Former President, Bharrat Jagdeo, is a private citizen and can choose to seek medical help wherever he wants, said Minister of Health, Bheri Ramsaran.
Former President, Bharrat Jagdeo
Dr. Ramsaran was not at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) when Jagdeo was medivacced to a Florida Hospital, reportedly suffering from persistent fever, vomiting and diarrhea.
Dr. Ramsaran said, yesterday, that he was unaware of Jagdeo’s ailment. He added that while he is close to the former President, he does not have to answer to Jagdeo anymore.
According to Dr. Ramsaran, he was only made aware of the President’s ailment through media reports.
He described the former President’s ailment as a private matter.
Asked repeatedly about the fact that it is the state that would have to foot the bill for Jagdeo’s treatment, the Minister maintained that it is a ‘private matter’.
Asked whether the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), could have dealt with Jagdeo’s fever, vomiting and diarrhea, the Minister said that this is possible, but was adamant that he was unaware of what was afflicting the former President and as such could not offer a comment.
He said that like any private citizen, Jagdeo is entitled to choose wherever he wants to seek medical attention.
Jagdeo was flown to a Florida Hospital, Friday evening and accompanying him was Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop, who was described as his best friend.
How long he has had this condition is still to be ascertained.
A privately-owned Lear jet out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida landed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) shortly after 21:00 hours Friday night to medivac Jagdeo to the United States.
His entourage, comprising Dr. Ramroop and his security detail arrived at the airport at 22:00 hours that night. The aircraft took off for Florida at 22:30 hours.
This publication understands that the chartering of a Lear Jet, from Florida to Guyana and back for a medivac, would cost between US$35,000 ($7M) and US$40,000 ($8M).
In May, 2009, then President Jagdeo assented to the controversial Former Presidents (Benefits and Facilities) Bill bringing it into to law.
Under that Act, he would receive free medical attention and medical treatment, paid for by the state, or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred by him for the medical attention or treatment of himself and the dependant members of his family.
Jagdeo became Guyana’s youngest ever President when his predecessor Janet Jagan demitted office in 1999.
During his term in office Jagdeo initiated many controversial projects, among them the Amaila Falls Hydro-electric Project, the Marriott Hotel project, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Expansion Project and the failed Skeldon Modernisation Project.
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