Letters - To leave or not to leave

Dear Dr Abel,

I read your article online and I must say you are on point. The question is how many are willing to stand up and fight honestly. The situation in our country has broken many hearts here in New York. Some have fallen apart while others are hiding because of shame. It hurts when Jamaicans here in the United States swear not to return home and this situation gives them more reason. Take care.

- Kes Graham snr

Dear Dr Abel,

I read your column and agree with it to such an extent that my question to you is: Can't you and other thinkers like you DEMAND these changes? Left to their own devices, the politicians will not implement these measures.

Take the issue of contracts to criminal elements, I can't see how it could be so difficult to demand that these be taken out of the hands of politicians. Couldn't there be a contracts awards committee for example, with oversight, through which all contracts must pass?

I can go on and on, but my point is that people like you who are the leaders of the country could begin something, instead of just making observations in the media. Please don't take this as a criticism, just an observation. By the way, I think the media is a hotbed of corruption and any change can begin there. Best wishes, Dr Abel, and I wish you and your generation success.

- E.R.

Dear Dr Abel,

I congratulate you on your article. I would not add to it. All I can say is, I live here in the USA. It is no bed of roses when one has lived 40 years in 'our' beautiful island. I went there at 17 years of age from the UK. I am sure you will be bombarded with mails on your wonderful article. I know just how you feel.

Please do not give up yet. There is no place to compare with the most beautiful island and some of the most wonderful people in the world.

- Bernadette Jadusingh

Dear Dr Abel,

Just read your piece in The Gleaner. I endorse everything you've said and have been conveying similar concerns and suggestions for the last 20 years!

- UWI alumni, Florida, USA

Dear Dr Abel,

Beautiful article. I don't know you, but I am a sad soul today by reading your article. Please, if I could persuade you, don't leave. Jamaica needs you. As I was walking on the U of T Scarborough campus this morning, I overheard someone talking about your article and I have to say that at that moment it felt as if someone had kicked me in my stomach.

Again, please don't leave. You may be wondering why did I leave, but I left when I was a toddler. But I do give back. I am too sad to continue this letter. Hang in there!

With best wishes,

- J.J.

Send questions and comments to our health specialists at Your Health, c/o The Gleaner, 7 North Street, Kingston; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com. Unless otherwise indicated, letters and the specialists' responses are usually published.