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LIFE AND DEATH
Doctors are trained to give of their best to nurture, improve, protect and if possible, save lives within the scope of medical knowledge. This is in accordance with the Hippocratic Oath, written in Greece between the 5th and the 3rd century BC. It requires physicians to take an oath to uphold specific ethical standards.
Of historic and traditional value, the oath is considered a rite of passage for practitioners of medicine in many countries. There are cases when physicians are unable to save lives because of the very thin line that exists between life and death.
This underscores the inherent frailty of human life that is highlighted at funerals. “In the midst of life there is death” is one of the common phrases uttered by pastors during funeral services. It serves as a powerful reminder to those in attendance that life is both precious and fragile.
Death has always been considered an integral part of human life. Philosophers have referred to death as reaching the highest level of earthly existence. Yet, whenever death strikes, whether in sudden tragic circumstances or by normal illness, it takes most people by surprise and leaves many in shock because they are never really prepared for such eventuality.
The unusual spate of traffic fatalities and murders has left many Guyanese in search for answers. As reported, most of the deceased are youths appeared to be generally in good health. With a small population Guyana cannot afford to lose so many of its youths. There is no disputing that Guyanese from all walks of life are generally experiencing pain and suffering in coping with deaths.
What is most surprising is that many of the traffic fatalities are caused by reckless and drunk driving. The question that is being asked by many is why so many young men are dying from such horrible deaths. There are of course various inferences which can be drawn, and one of them is that youths in general are more careless with their lives because they believe that they are invincible.
Youths are known to have a far more reckless lifestyle than others. They pay little attention to their health. Besides, they tend to indulge in certain destructive behaviour, such as excessive use of drugs and alcohol, which are harmful to their health.
They merrily go about their business as if they do not have a care in the world. They seldom seek medical attention until symptoms of serious illness strike or when accidents occur.
It is said that a person’s health is a person’s wealth, therefore, it is the responsibility of everyone to take care of their health or suffer the consequences. Sudden deaths will always happen because of accidents on the roads or elsewhere.
Given the incidence of hypertension, diabetes and other chronic non-communicable illnesses in Guyana, there are young people who appear to be in perfectly good health but are really walking time bombs. Neglecting their health has exacted a heavy and sometimes deadly consequences.
If there is a positive lesson to be learned from accidental and senseless deaths, it is that those who have been negligent need to stop their reckless behaviour of speeding or driving while intoxicated.
Also, young men have to start paying serious attention to their health by visiting a doctor at least once a year for a thorough medical check-up to be aware of their health status and allow for timely intervention if any medical issues are discovered.
This could save many lives and spare relatives and friends the agony that comes from the sudden loss of loved ones by accidents or who are seriously ill but believed to be in perfect health, based on appearances which at times can be misleading.
Going forward, as a nation we should at least agree to commit ourselves not to be reckless on the roads and to seek help before taking one’s life. Remember, there is a thin line between life and death.
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