Dear Editor,

It has come to my attention that as part of the celebrations of our 40th anniversary of Independence, a float parade is to be staged through the streets of Kingston.

A float parade is an excellent way to show off some of our accomplishments, for example, our success in sports — our cricketers, athletes, netball team, etc; our agricultural produce; our beautiful women; our industries, and so on.

This will no doubt bring much joy to those who will be privileged to view the parade and, of course, those who will be employed in the construction of the floats, and whose trucks, tractors, etc, will be hired to haul them on the day of the parade. Not to mention the merchants who will sell the various materials from plyboard and paint, to cloth, paper and other items used to decorate the vehicles.

Since at this time I have no idea how many floats will be displayed or the areas which will be highlighted, or how many participants will be involved, it is not possible to say exactly how long the parade will be. (By this I do not mean length of time from start to finish, but duration of passing a person standing in a fixed position.) But based on other parades I’ve seen at previous Independence celebrations, it will certainly be less than an hour.

My understanding is that the cost to stage this event is over $6.5 million. And, at the end of the parade, all the decorations, etc, will have no further use and will be destroyed.

I recently spoke with a leading urologist, who informed me that last year over 650 Jamaicans died because they could not get on a kidney dialysis machine. That’s two people a day! In addition, every year about 700 new patients are added to the list of those needing to be dialysed. That’s the number expected to die this year.

The type of machine being used in Jamaica at this time costs about J$900,000.

May I hurriedly suggest that the minister of culture instruct the cancellation of the float parade immediately and instead donate that money to the Ministry of Health to buy six kidney dialysis machines, each to be placed in a rural hospital where the need is greatest. I understand that with proper care such a machine can last up to 20 years. Think how many lives could be saved over that time! Would this not be a better, more meaningful and lasting symbol to mark our 40th anniversary? In addition, it might spur some in the private sector who might be considering sponsoring a float, to donate instead that money to a life-saving cause.

Each machine could be inscribed with a plaque indicating that it was donated to mark the 40th anniversary of our Independence. In that way, for years to come, each beneficiary would know the gesture which was made to ease their discomfort and prolong their life and thus would be grateful and appreciative to a caring government.

Tony Patel

1 Lloyd’s Close

Kingston 8