Letter of the Day | Too many problems plaguing Jamaica
Published:Monday | July 15, 2024 | 12:06 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
It’s disappointing and sad how many basic problems still exist in Jamaica in 2024. The lack of working street lights on many major roads is glaring; timely garbage collection is lacking in many towns and villages across the island. Also, drains and gullies are not being cleaned frequently; and squatting is still a major problem. Scores of people are still living on the streets; the conditions in the prisons is deplorable and inhumane. Basic medical care seems to be in disarray; there is a lack of life-saving machines, such as ventilators, defibrillators, etc. This is compounded by the fact that patients have to wait hours to be seen by doctors in the public hospitals. The lack of an adequate water supply infrastructure to satisfactorily meet the basic needs of many communities across the island remains an ongoing issue. The unwelcoming and very bad smell of raw sewage has become common in too many communities throughout Kingston and St Andrew. Maintaining law and order is another issue; it is estimated that there are over 200 criminal gangs involved in extortion, murder, robbery and other crimes that exist in Jamaica.
If Jamaica is to move from being a developing country and achieve First-World status by, say, 2030, then the aforementioned problems need to be addressed urgently and comprehensively.
PATRICK GALLIMORE