JAMAICA Observer online readers are calling on the govenrment to pay over a $8-million court award to 29-year-old Karen Reid, who was misdiagnosed with HIV while pregnant in 2005. The sum, with interest, was awarded to Reid by the Supreme Court nearly a year ago. However, the government has appealed the sum and Reid is upset at the length of time it is taking Court of Appeal to hear the matter. Here are some edited comments:

chikV2Ebola

I am with you on this one, Ms Reid. This ‘wicked government’ has no heart or feelings for the poor and defenseless! Why do they have to appeal when they know they are wrong?

err gag ViewMaster

They are hoping you die soon… suh you won’t collect. Live long and prosper… and collect!

Samuel Mckenzie

How come the Government returned money to a convicted drug dealer and murderer and yet refused to pay this woman. Is it because they are not sure which party she supports?

general69

This is shameful. Where is the minister of health?

gert

Never mind. It says with interest so the longer dem tek, the more you get. Just think of it as a trust fund for your child.

Oliver Wallace

This is Jamaica, the wheels of justice turns very slowly (assuming they’re turning), especially if you’re poor and not connected. But with some luck, Miss Reid’s grandchildren may benefit from the lawsuit or she might just collect before the onslaught of dementia.

Chapter1

@Oliver Wallace: Ezroy Millwood comes to mind .

jayjayja

The government is NOT wicked, they in fact love the poor. The government has no money as every penny is for IMF agreement. When this agreement is over, we all will be poor; that is how much they love the poor.

fieldgar

Ms Reid, I guess you could say ‘ your country has failed you,’ but the authorities will probably deny it.

Crucial

The government must pay up. They can find money to do anything else, including waste. Pay the woman!

sharon ewars

Good job, Observer. Keep this on the front page every day. What we need now is for some enterprising person or organisation to get this into the foreign media and show them just how wonderful the Jamaican government is.

Mr.J

For peace sake, pay the woman! Imagine going through what she had to!

mooney65

Just heartbreaking! Now her child has no father around and she’s struggling to make ends meet. Being misdiagnosed, totally destroyed her family. Let’s hope this exposure will help even though this is the second time I’m reading about her case in the Observer.

JAMAICA I LOVE

Mental stress has no price, GOJ!

Trevel

Stalling tactics plain and simple. She has been awarded the money due to incompetence; PAY UP!

Marjorie Dunn

Come on, Government, pay the young lady so she can live a better life. You waste money on things less important. Do the right thing once and for all. Good Lord.

Glorona

Pay the woman and let her get on with her life. By the time she gets this money it will be worth about U$800.

Jamaican Thoughts

Deh one yah sticky! A so the court system stay mi friend. Hope yuh get even the million as whe yuh say.

guest

It sad, but she nah get a cent from government. When they take you to court, they get out of you what they want but when you win you can end up waiting your entire lifetime

guest

I suggest her lawyers seize Jamaica House and have it liquidated for repayment.

Kareen1

@guest: Or go down a Gordon House go seize a Audi or Prado.

Elijah

Yep di Govt wicked. Memba Millwood? Same way dem do him. This government has no moral authority. We need people who will just do the RIGHT thing, irrespective of the cost.

Cecille

…No government like to pay out money.They should walk a few steps in that woman shoe to realize what she had to endured.

citizen_for_justice

No amount is too high when you ruin someone’s life like that. They should be made to pay even more for these stall tactics.

revjoanporteous

This government loves the poor. Certainly, the JA$8M will not make you rich, so they can pay you.

Naw-Change-Course

Government bruk like a church mouse.

“The Jamaican government is so wicked,” Reid lamented..

But Miss Reid needs to remember that this Government loves the poor and people love this government gone to bed.

staggybee

Didn’t Pickersgill say that 30 million was chicken feed? So, how them have problem now with $8 million. What a wicked set of people!

ADright

We’re taking over ten years to adjudicate this matter. The government should be ashamed as it’s falling down on it’s most basic function, which is the health and welfare of it’s citizens. But, alas neither this nor any other government in JA has ever accomplished that most basic requirement of governance.

LloydNY

Seems the prime minister for the poor, as she so eloquently sold herself to people to gain her lofty position, has done anything but stand up for the poor and against injustice.

Bill Board

I hope you get your money as quickly as the government ministers got their new cars.

Anoni Muss

Come dumrades, defend ur incompetent gov’t.

Kareen1

Don’t let up, Ms Reid. Make them pay you every dime.

Trevor

The Goverment just don’t want to shorten they new JEEP money.

proactive

Good luck, the cause is too meaningful, it’s justification and it’s the right thing to do, so the Government will find it hard to pay.

Cyrano DeBergerac

J$8 million? How much is that? Nothing compared to future sufferings she will have to endure. Tax? Why should that be considered as taxable INCOME? Ja tax laws needs revisiting.

Peter Bradshaw

Is this the same government that found US$30,000 to put an alien on a private jet to spirit said alien to his homeland?

mooney65

So we’re getting a chance to file a lawsuit now ,but the problem is getting paid after winning your case. Look how long it took the government to pay the 99-year-old-woman her $1 million? 40 years and no interest! This is just so pathetic!