The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Now for the matter at hand - focusing mainly on “Housing” of the Senior citizen division of the Bahamas Social Services – It needs much to be desired. Senior citizens are not treated well, especially as related to low-rental apartments.

There are not enough of the low-rental units constructed for the many sent in applicants, and sometimes applicants are told openly someone has to die before there is a vacancy, this is a shame and is “cold”.

In 2010, my application was approved to be placed in one of these units.

To date, I have taken three medicals, one of the requirements of Social Services for one to be placed. The medicals were good, but on the third one I took in May 2013, the Bahamian female doctor whom I saw seems to have placed a blight on the report – making note of a condition I never really had as such, or can be described as chronic.

I feel this was an intentional undermining tactic initiated to prevent me receiving one of the low-rental units. If this is a fact, it is atrocious!

From 2010, I was constantly making the department aware of the urgency of myself being placed, for I live in a section of a house that the owner used as a storage area; there is poor ventilation, no water, no electricity, and the place is infested with venomous types of insects.

I have been bitten by these insects a couple of times, also killed many of them, the landlady who occupies a separate part of the building seems disgruntled with the $25 per week she is receiving from me for being in that room. I am unable to afford better accommodations due to a small retirement cheque.

I yet feel there are some staff members who understand my plight, as I don’t intend any harm as such to that department, but is for justice. So I say “get it together!” social services for our seniors!

EZRA RAHMING

Nassau,

January, 2013.