Retired estate worker gets one-year free supply of medicine, house fixed after President’s intervention
By Vishani Ragobeer
James Davis, 73, a visually- impaired man who lives at Canje, Region Six (East Berbice- Corentyne), was one of the many people who sought assistance from President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Thursday.
Davis spent most of his life working at the Rose Hall Sugar estate but years ago, when he retired, he discovered that he was losing his vision.
He was diagnosed with both glaucoma and cataract.
Because of his diagnosis, Mr. Davis has to take Timolol, a medicine to relieve the increased pressure in his eye, daily. He, however, told the News Room that the nearby New Amsterdam hospital is frequently without the drugs.
Then, he spoke about the condition of his small, wooden house in Canfield, Canje.
His disability prevented him from up-keeping his house and the passing of his wife in 2018 made matters worse. Mr. Davis said he asked local authorities for some assistance but to no avail.
“I thought it’s best to see the President myself…I talk to people around but nobody listens,” he said.
On Thursday, President Ali moved his office to Region Six for the next two days. This move, the Head of State explained, was done because he wants to seriously address people’s issues.
And Mr. Davis got the President’s attention.
During an outreach activity on the lawns of State House in New Amsterdam, Mr. Davis was promised a one-year free supply of the Timolol and another medication he needs daily. By Thursday afternoon, the drugs were delivered.
The President also promised to fix the man’s dilapidated house within days.
Kumarie Sookoo, a 58-year-old mother of four, was another resident who got immediate assistance from the President.
She got $50,000 to pay for the house lot she was allocated at Fort Ordinance, Region Six.
Gloria Hariram, 68, is another Region Six resident who asked President Dr. Irfaan Ali for some assistance in rebuilding her house.
She told him that her husband died after he was diagnosed with cancer and she cannot rebuild her Line Path, Skeldon house on her own. And the President promised to mobilise assistance for the woman.
