The former chief of  the Amerindian village of  Post Utrecht, Marciano Lewis Sinandan, passed away at the age of 33 last Saturday. The current village chief  Stephanus Simons deemed it regrettable that Sinandan could not get an extension on his Basic Health Insurance (BAZO) card even though his health was deteriorating.

“He had to pay from his own pocket whenever he went to the doctor and in the end he had no more money to pay the doctor and to buy medicines. He died when he could not receive the essential medical treatment,” said  Simons who expressed shock over the fact that Sinandan had to beg for an extension but still did not get it.

The former village chief will be brought to his final resting place on Saturday.

Simons urges the administration of President Chandrikapersad Santokhi and in particular the Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing to make sure that everybody gets an extension on their BAZO health insurance card.  “He could not get an extension when he needed it the most.”