Leader of the Opposition and Leader of We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) Azruddin Mohamed is calling on government ministers to intervene and provide urgent support for a 63-year-old woman who remains bedridden following a serious road accident earlier this month.
In a social media post, Mohamed said Members of Parliament from WIN visited Ms. Waveney Fernandes on Sunday, March 1, after she sustained severe injuries in a crash allegedly involving Riyad Ahmad, the son of the owner of Sheriff Security Service.
According to Mohamed, the accident occurred when Ahmad “jumped and sped through an intersection colliding with a car which then struck Ms. Waveney.” He stated that the impact threw Fernandes into the air and into a nearby pole, causing serious injuries.
“She suffered a fractured spine and broken leg, injured ribs and liver, facial and arm lacerations that became infected, and severe swelling and discoloration of the broken leg,” Mohamed wrote.
Fernandes, he said, is unable to walk or work and has no spouse, children, or immediate relatives to assist in her care.
Mohamed also raised concerns about the medical treatment Fernandes reportedly received at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, stating that she reported being ill-treated and discharged prematurely. He noted that she now urgently requires an MRI, continued medical care and ambulance services which she cannot afford.
“Last Sunday, Mr. Mohamed covered the additional costs to take her to the hospital,” the statement said.
The Opposition Leader called on Frank Anthony, Minister of Health, to intervene and ensure Fernandes receives the urgent medical care she requires.
“Minister of Health Frank Anthony, we call on you to intervene immediately and ensure that Ms. Fernandes receives the urgent medical care she requires with all costs covered by the state,” Mohamed said.
He also appealed to Vindhya Persaud, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, to ensure Fernandes receives psychological support and rehabilitation.
“Ms. Fernandes is severely traumatized. She requires not only physical therapy to regain full use of her leg, arm, and back, but also psychological support. She told us that she is terrified to go out in public again,” Mohamed stated.
The Opposition Leader further raised concerns about the condition of Fernandes’ yard, which he said is frequently flooded, and called on Priya Manickchand, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, to urgently address the matter through local government authorities.
In addition, he called on Oneidge Walrond, Minister of Home Affairs, to respond to what he described as a negligent police response at the accident scene.
“Minister Waldron, your police officers left a woman lying motionless on the side of the road for more than 30 minutes while they tended to the son of a businessman Riyad Ahmad and harassed the other driver over documents. This is blatantly unacceptable,” Mohamed wrote.
He further alleged that eyewitness accounts and video footage indicated Ahmad appeared to be under the influence at the time of the accident, claiming that standard procedures such as administering a breathalyser test were not carried out despite the presence of at least four police officers at the scene.
“No individual regardless of wealth, power, or political connections should be above the law,” Mohamed said.
Mohamed noted that Fernandes spent much of her life working and serving her church as a secretary.
“Ms. Waveney is a woman of faith who dedicated her life to God and served as a church secretary while working two jobs to remain fully independent. Today, she requires 24-hour care,” he said.
The Opposition Leader said WIN is calling for full financial support for Fernandes, including coverage for two nurse aides to assist her daily, comprehensive physical and emotional therapy, and a full independent and transparent investigation into the accident with appropriate charges if warranted.
“Ms. Waveney worked her entire life with dignity. She should not now be left helpless,” Mohamed said.
