Health of seniors

Dec 06, 2025 Features / Columnists, The GHK Lall Column

Hard Truths by GHK Lall

(Kaieteur News) – Note is taken of SN’s editorial dated Dec 02, 2025 and captioned “Public figures and their health.” It is timely and has much value; but it may also be coincidental.

Coincidental because I saw two recent snapshots of Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, and the first thing that struck me was that he didn’t look himself in the least.

I hope he is well, and no one will think that, as Guyanese say, I am calling sickness on the man. For whatever it is worth, count me out of such nastiness. That’s a role for others. Because no matter the differences between me and someone, I do not and cannot allow myself to get to that state of malevolence. Guyana already has too many of such malice-minded individuals, who think nothing of rejoicing when a political figure (or others) that they detest is struck by illness.

My two sightings of Dr. Jagdeo were when the president was having a fun time and inspiring his listeners to laughter over the high priority that Guyanese place on a cash grant. As a quick aside, I condemn that in no uncertain terms; there is nothing to laff about on a cash grant for those who need it the most.

The other sighting was another social media clip where Dr. Jagdeo seemed to be the center of attraction amid hearty celebrations and good cheer from his bosom comrades, as though he just returned. Return from where? Reports are that he had missed two successive Thursday afternoon press conferences, which must be some record. He wasn’t travelling. He couldn’t be that occupied, since Pres. Ali is now shoving him aside and running more and more under his own steam, and answerable to no man. But in both posts, the vice president looked different: wan, at best, and manifesting that hollow-eyed, sunken cheeked, thousand-yard face and stare of someone who had just endured a bout of serious bodily assaults. He had that gaunt look of one who went through a war, and is still feeling and showing the effects. Like I said, I hope he is in good health, and if he was ill that he is well on his way to getting back fully and quickly on his feet. Best wishes, friar.

Generally speaking, in times of severe sickness, it takes a real monster to have a good time over news of that nature. Further, it calls for a monster of exceptional depravity and barbarity to take such a development, and make a social media story out of it. Those are very sick individuals.

The SN editorial had something to say about it, as it referred to the First Lady. What kind of a bottom feeder, what sort of slimy creature straight out of the Galapagos Islands, finds something to thrill about in another person’s struggles or illness? It takes a rare kind, indeed. There is a saying in America (maybe even in Guyana) that I wouldn’t wish certain things on my worst enemy. My standard is that those who see me as either an obstacle, or a problem, are free to do as they please, and wish ill to their heart’s content. Bring it on down. But I hope that I never fall so low, as to reach that dead end, ever even think of returning the favor.

Hate breeds hate. Guyana has too much of both, without too much effort required to initiate, to retaliate. How can there ever be hope for this country, whether as One Guyana, or Minus One Guyana, or One Guyana Plus, when there is this thickness of venom in the blood that sickness is found delightful? How can this country aspire to and actually achieve any higher ground, when there are so many, who are so happy to be gamboling in the gutters and sewers of social media to get an upper hand over one held as a blood enemy, and bring him or her down?

In this country, it seems that there is a special joy in sticking it to political foes most of all. When sickness or reports of sickness do not bring out the best in us, but the worse, then Guyanese might as well close-up shop, call it a day here, and head for new pastures. Sickness must always be off-limits. Just like when there is death and times of mourning, there is a suspension of hostilities. There is a time for fighting and quarreling; and there is a time for healing and rising.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Bharrat Jagdeo, GHK Lall, Health, of seniors

Latest News