Madam, – I am outraged at the treatment of little Jamie Murphy from Co Kilkenny (“Alleged cancellation of child’s surgery ‘shameful’, says White”, June 15th). What kind of country is this, to deny a child a life-saving procedure in the name of ham-fisted health cuts, even as billions pour unchecked into the the endless pit of Anglo Irish Bank? What price a life? What have we come to? – Yours, etc,
Madam, – This State has gone backwards, morally, at a rate closer to the speed of light rather than any amount of nautical miles. How the Department of Health and the HSE can stand over a decision to implement cuts that mean they are now refusing a critically ill 11-year-old girl, the life-saving surgery she needs, is beyond all comprehension.
All that has been said about child welfare and child protection by the Government in relation to the Ryan report recently is nothing but lip service when this brave young girl is being denied the chance to survive by the same administration. It is beyond comprehension: the scale or moral “bankruptcy” of this Government and the lack of responsibility towards its most vulnerable citizens. I don’t want to politicise this issue and I am not a member of any political party. I am just so profoundly disgusted at this happening while the Government insists on pouring another €4 billion into Anglo Irish Bank.
Where is the extra income from the increased health levy on us going to? I would be obliged if you could use your resources to find out and publish the details of how the ordinary decent citizens of this country, like myself, can donate in some way towards the fundraising now being undertaken by the family of Jamie Murphy in order for her to have the life-saving surgery in Great Ormond Street Hospital, London. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – The plight of the Kilkenny youngster suffering from spina bifida and scoliosis should shine a light into the darkness that is our governmental and societal priorities.
When TDs bicker over having to give up the perk of pensions while in Dáil Éireann, a perk available to this class of worker alone, let them ponder the effect that their neoliberal policies have on the most vulnerable of society and then let them sleep nights. In addition, the self-serving actions of the HSE in looking for absolution that the cuts in funding to the Crumlin children’s hospital did not contribute to this youngster’s condition is beneath contempt. Rather the HSE should be seeking ways to alleviate some of the pain of that child and her family. – Yours, etc,