Great Concern

In hospital a week ago whilst undergoing treatment, I had the opportunity to observe the staff performing in their respective roles with great skill and efficiency.  Everything worked like clockwork.  All of the staff were attentive and I was just happy that we had such services available when a sudden thought came to mind that all of this staff, as well as those in other local hospitals, are likely to be seeking greener pastures away from this country. 

They cannot be blamed for doing so as the cost of living has skyrocketed making it impossible for most citizens to lead a comfortable life. The disparity is very visible. Not a day goes by without someone asking for financial help. Many are even doing two jobs to make ends meet.

The thought of all the trained hospital staff and doctors leaving the island is fearful as well as of deep concern. All hospitality industries are facing the same issue with the exodus of their staff overseas to either work or immigrate with their families. The losers will be all of us residing in this country.

A friend, who was on holiday in Sri Lanka, related to me that every taxi, especially the three wheeler, driver lamented about their lives here, where children were fed sparingly, the inability to pay their utility bills and the difficulty to meet the lease payment of the vehicle each month, which keeps them in constant fear of having their vehicle taken away from them. Seizure of the vehicle will only make their lives worse than the present. The taxi drivers felt that they were worse off now with the rising costs than during the pandemic era.