The Editor, Sir:

The name Shawn Anthony Fletcher means nothing to many Jamaicans, but to me, his family, other relatives and friends, it means a lot. Shawn was a 22-year-old young man whom I met about 10 years ago, when he was 12. He came into my class a quiet and reserved student with impeccable manners.

He was from a poor family. As a matter of fact, he was an orphan living with siblings. The eldest brother was just a few years older than him. Many days he did not have money to buy lunch, but he never begged. It was up to me to see that he was not eating and do something about it.

His politeness and honesty endeared him to me. One incident stood out in my mind: On lunch break while sitting at my desk, he came up to me and said: "Miss, I found $200," then stretched his hands towards me with two $100 bills nesting in his palm.

I took them from him, telling him that when the class returned I would inquire who lost it. That day he had no lunch money, and no one, not even the owner of the money, knew that it was lost.

After he left school, I did not see him for four years. One day he appeared in my classroom doorway. It took me a little time to recognise him. He was now a tall young adult.

But at second glance I realised thathe was not well. He had a medical condition wherein he had to be on constant medication. He could not hold a steady job because whenever he was unable to buy the medication, he would become very ill. The NHF did not have his illness on its list, so no help was forthcoming from that agency.

Refused assistance

He was an outpatient at the Kingston Public Hospital. About five weeks ago, I assisted him in getting a week's supply of medication.

Four days following that, he collapsed at home and was taken to the hospital, and was admitted for one night. On his way from the hospital, he stopped to tell me what happened. I sent him home to rest. One week later Shawn died, not only because he was ill, but because he was poor.

He had collapsed again and was rushed to the Kingston Public Hospital. He was refused assistance because the person who took him did not have the $500 that the hospital required.

She left to get the money. When she returned with the money, Shawn was dead, all because he did not have $500.

I cried because I could have paid the $500; anyone could have paid it, if only I were there.

For just $500 Shawn Anthony Fletcher's life could have been prolonged even for another day.

I am, etc.,

ADINA MARIE SERGEANT

Portmore, St. Catherine