A minister, a head doctor, commended and celebrated

May 02, 2026 Features / Columnists, The GHK Lall Column

Hard Truths by GHK Lall

(Kaieteur News) – It’s a long-held mantra. The best policies and best procedures are nothing, if there are no people with the required energy, care, and ethos to breathe life into them. Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, made his moves, proved me right. He engaged, directed. Thanks, Minister. Dr. Jeetendra Mohanlall, head of department, reinforced what Dr. Anthony initiated. A nod of gratitude to Dr. Mohanlall for his diligence. If only there’s more of what these two Guyanese delivered, one a PPP Government minister, the other a medical professional, I could hope for this country, no matter how bleak the environment, barren the outlook.

Communication began with Minister Anthony about a week ago, when the sun started its daily ascent. It’s said he is a responsive minister. He was. Encouraging, considering who I am, what I share with Guyanese. At least, the name should tinkle. This is the situation, minister, and it calls for urgent attention. Health Minister Anthony rose to the occasion. He arranged a connection. In came Dr. Jeetendra Mohanlall. Prompt and on the ball. Here’s an outline, what’s known, where matters stand, what is planned. A pro who found the time, to relay developments, as a moving target was sought. I couldn’t ask for more. I tried to supply all available supporting details, however slender.

The responsiveness of Minister Anthony and Dr. Mohanlall comforted. I wish there is more of what these Guyanese represented. The hard truth is that it is not so. Stop licking lips in anticipation, my fellow Guyanese; none of that today. When one set of Guyanese sees the world a certain way, and another set sees it in a different way-perhaps radically so-then there always will be only one solution to that stalemate. The need to carveout a path that represents some palatable middle ground. The common is found, stockpiled. What differentiates and separates given lesser value, assessed a lower priority, and set to the side, for a longer, deeper examination, probable revision. Because there is hidden potential in the differences that divide. There is grace in every race, and in the races in which this country is engaged.

On each occasion that there is the rarity, the mystery and solemnity, of national pausing, there must be readiness to drink deeply at the well of thinking. When the quarreling enjoys once-in-a-blue-moon recesses, there should emerge that abiding interest in self-adjusting and pursuing national interests with a vision that unites shoulder-to-shoulder. I can dream of that kind of Guyana, can’t I? I plead for concession of the luxury. Of what should be tried, despite never having been done. Because there is the belief that in listening, trying and doing, there is achieving. There must be the confidence that I can differ on many matters with Minister Anthony, but that he will never see me as an enemy. Nor I ever placing him in the category of adversary, but fellow citizen. Slashing deeply, honestly, constitutionally dutifully at issues seen as wrongly based, wrongly led, and wrongly done shouldn’t give grounds for going beyond bounds. When certain measures have to be resorted to, certain inviolable principles trampled, then the last boundaries that hold together would have been breached.

The hard truth, the sad truth, is that attacking and seeking to destroy have become too commonplace, too much to our liking. I am trying to see the good, to unravel the possibilities, in an environment that cheers to being stormy, self-destructive. It would be a cause for rejoicing to have more Guyanese who make it their duty to share their positions about the way for a better Guyana, if only to test the hospitality of their reception. Honorable company is welcome. I will grasp at every opportunity, however fleeting, if only to celebrate Guyanese who yearn for the same things prioritized. I am proud of Minister Anthony answering the bell. Dr. Mohanlall, thanks for the efforts. I can hope.

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

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Dr Jeetendra Mohanlall, Dr. Frank Anthony, GHK Lall, head doctor, PPP Government

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