Doubles vendor Donald Ramroop, who was shot when bandits stormed his Barataria home seven months ago, is seeking the public’s help to raise $70,000 to get back on his feet. Speaking with the media outside the Forensic Science Centre, St James, yesterday during a stop-off on their way to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital Ramroop’s brother, Nirmal, and other relatives said they were tired of the runaround from medical institutions.
Ramroop was at his home at Seventh Avenue, Malick, on May 7 when two armed bandits stormed in. He and his wife were preparing doubles just after 2 am. The bandits demanded money from the couple and shot the 42-year-old in the abdomen. The bandits escaped with a silver chain. Since then the couple have been assisted by relatives. After spending close to $100,000 at West Shore Medical they are now unable to afford another $70,000 for further surgery.
Ramroop had colostomy surgery at the Eric Williams Medical Complex (EWMSC) and was turned away at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital because he was treated at EWMSC. “We applied for welfare since this happened because he can’t work and they said in December they would do it. When I went recently they said the person seeing about the file gone on holidays. We would appreciate any assistance,” Donald’s wife, Victoria, said.
She said during the robbery her husband threw hot oil on his attackers since their four children were in the house. She said another colostomy was needed for her husband who has lost weight since the shooting. The woman said the new surgery would cost $70,000 privately but that was more than she could afford.