The Editor, Sir:

On Tuesday, I watched the tragicomedy of a profession being devalued. I saw the respectful profession of nursing staking its claim on the boardwalk. There was a time when the uniform and the wearer were highly respected but now what we are seeing is the 'product of society' and one of the last highly respected professions fast losing its place.

By 'product of society', I mean they are reflecting the standard which we have lost in our society. Was that the best of the film stars you could muster, Madame NAJ president? Will you be considered for the 'Actor Boy Award'? If the nurses can find their crevasse in the boardwalk, which other profession will soon follow suit?

During the show, the PM could be heard pleading for "reasonability" but it seemed as if the president of the NAJ had lost all reasoning - her supporters included! Not satisfied that their grandstanding was forceful enough, the nurses followed up with calling in sick. This left the ailing health sector in a worse position.

Shortages

Two days later, on Power 106, in an interview, President Edith Allwood-Anderson was heard conceding that there were equipment in hospitals not working and things in short supply. She further explained that the minister of health was sending home patients because of other issues unrelated to lack of nursing staff. She affirmed that nurses would continue to call in sick until a letter confirming the prime minister's request on a meeting was received. Meanwhile, the nation suffers from lack of care.

The public is well aware of the shortage of equipment and supplies in the sector, now compounded by the extreme shortage of human resources. We have noticed that one of the nurses' issues regards the length of time it takes to get money owed to them. As a nation, we are being adversely affected by the global recession and the nurses do not operate in a vacuum. Besides, if the sector is short on necessities, it simply means that less or no work is being done. This was underscored by Mrs Allwood-Anderson's own words.

Collecting a salary falsely

Therefore, it is being demonstrated that nurses have been collecting a salary falsely as they have not been doing their jobs because of a lack of supplies. If they care about their job and the nation's health, why have they not been demonstrating for things to work with? That would be one way to get total public support and we would be certain they care about us whom they are being paid to treat.

Finally, it would be comforting to know that the supporters who starred the boardwalk show were off-duty nurses. Like Labour Minister Pearnel Charles, I would have preferred a 'boardroom' show.

I am, etc.,

A DISAPPOINTED CITIZEN

Kingston