Family of Fallen Firefighter Releases Heartbreaking Statement

9th of March, 2025. Guyana, South America. GSA News. Guyana News.

Last updated: March 9, 2025 at 12:53 pm

Reading of the tragic death of Voshaun Manbodh this morning was especially painful. The 27 year old firefighter died after sustaining injuries while trying to extinguish the fire at Mae’s Academy in Georgetown, Region 4, Guyana, South America. A wall collapsed on him and several others on the 5th of May, 2025.

After days of suffering, Voshaun died while “receiving medical care” at the Georgetown Public Hospital around midnight on Saturday, 8th of March, 2025. His story, coupled with a statement issued by his family, portrays the torturous incompetence of the public hospital system, and the culture of carelessness, capital greed, and callousness which many unsung heroes endure.

The question here is…were these firefighters ordered into the building where the wall collapsed or did they venture there on their own? First responders often put themselves in harm’s way to save others. It’s part of what defines them, but prudence must always be used. In this case, we traded young lives for an old building.

We extend heartfelt condolences to the relatives and friends of Voshaun Manbodh. We trust that his family will receive adequate compensation from the government. And we pray that the others injured recover speedily.

May the soul of this national hero rest in peace and rise in power.

Statement from the Family of Voshaun Manbodh

“It is with deep sorrow and concern that we announce the untimely passing of Fireman Voshaun Manbodh, a member of the Guyana Fire Service, who succumbed to his injuries while under medical care.

Fireman Manbodh, 27 years old, was injured in the line of duty when a wall collapsed on him, resulting in two fractures in his neck, impaired motor function, and an ear impediment.

He was admitted to Georgetown Public Hospital on Wednesday, 5th. March, 2025. An MRI was conducted and the results were said to be clean. By Thursday, Manbodh was communicating normally, as well as taking phone calls and speaking coherently. However, following this observation, the approaching days saw his condition steadily worsening instead of improving due to delayed medical interventions, inadequate monitoring, and critical lapses in care.

Despite requiring urgent neurological evaluation, his MRI scan was painstakingly delayed, initially scheduled for 1:30 PM at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital but postponed due to poor preparation by hospital staff.

When they finally attempted to take him for the scan after 2 PM, there was a last-minute failure to properly sedate him, leading to further delays and distress.

Instead of taking appropriate measures to ensure his safety, hospital staff attempted to restrain him using only two pieces of string tied to his hands, which were wholly inadequate to stabilize him. His legs were also loosely tied with bandages, but he remained unstable and distressed throughout the process.

The stretcher they used to transport him had no restraints, making it even more difficult to ensure his safety during movement.

Throughout this time, his condition notably deteriorated, yet no alternative medical interventions were pursued in a timely manner. While under hospital care, Mr. Manbodh suffered a fall from his hospital bed, an incident that was not disclosed to his family by medical staff.

Instead, a fellow patient informed his mother. Shockingly, when she arrived at the hospital, staff downplayed the incident; not mentioning anything to her at all and instead stated that he was behaving aggressively, leading to haphazard attempts at restraining him using only two pieces of string.

These restraints were so ineffective that he remained unsettled and in distress, further complicating his medical condition. It should also be noted that, despite the severity of his injuries, Fireman Voshaun Manbodh was placed in the general Male Surgical Ward, receiving no specialized neurological care or heightened medical attention.

Mr. Manbodh’s mother repeatedly expressed concerns about his lack of proper restraint, hydration, and medical oversight, yet her concerns were either ignored or inadequately addressed.

Around 12 PM Friday, she observed that his IV fluids had been removed, leaving him without necessary hydration and medication despite his critical condition; up to the point of preparing him to the 2nd MRI, it was not connected to him.

Additionally, when Manbodh’s mother met with the surgeon on Thursday, she noticed that his urinary catheter had also been removed. Upon questioning hospital staff, she was told that a nurse had taken it out for no justifiable reason. It was only after her persistent inquiries that the neurosurgeon instructed the nurse to reinstate it.

These serious lapses in basic medical care contributed significantly to his worsening condition and ultimate deterioration and death.

After hours of suffering and repeated delays, Mr. Manbodh passed away, and his mother was only informed at 11:18 PM that night. His untimely and preventable death raises grave concerns about the standard of medical care, hospital protocols, and emergency response procedures for injured service members.

We demand a full and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his treatment and the negligence that contributed to his passing.

Those responsible for his inadequate care must be held accountable, and urgent reforms must be implemented to ensure that no other firefighter, emergency responder, or citizen suffers a similar fate. It is sad to say, but there was NO clear commitment and urgency in his care.

His family, colleagues, and the people of Guyana deserve answers, and we will not rest until justice is served.

-9th March 2025″

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Family Statement was First Published by Mr. Gordon Moseley.