‘What’s needed is for people to take their own lives in their own hands’

One thing you can say about Deputy Oswald, the newish head of the health and social care committee, is that he is not scared to lead with his chin (Press, 30 January). Would that you could say his skills extend to his sensitivity to many of the people he serves – the residents of Guernsey.

With the island’s finances seriously under threat and services already supposedly under stress because of pressure on budgets, he proposes that heavily-overweight people should get slimming jabs free of charge to them (not to the rest of the island’s taxpayers though – they would have to foot the bill).

True, he admits that there will be those who are opposed to the idea. Those are the ones like me who think the problem exists because of a lack of restraint in how much people eat, what they eat, or a combination of both, plus usually an unwillingness to take frequent meaningful exercise. This despite the daily bombardment on social media, in the papers, and on TV of info on how, what, and how much to eat healthily and cheaply. An example of the is Channel 4’s current Jamie Oliver series Feasts for a Fiver.

Deputy Oswald argues it will be cheaper in the long run with reduced need to treat the obese for other, maybe life-threatening illnesses related to their excesses. Fine in theory, but where’s the evidence? Over how long a period before the island’s long-suffering taxpayers see a saving and funds released from this policy to help treat the really ill. Years? Ever? What if people cheat – take the pills, but then lapse and binge? The money is spent, the weight stays on, and the benefit is lost.

And why has it become a States obligation to prop up people who don’t have the strength of character to face their addictions or perceived stresses head on. Addiction to too much food and/or junk food, alcohol, smoking. Inability to face the challenges of normal everyday life – you name it.

Why is it the rest of us who have to provide a comforting blanket when what is actually needed is for people to take their own lives in their own hands and show some backbone.

If they did, and Deputy Oswald is correct, there would be more resource to take care of the genuinely sick.

It seems to me the idea falls into a similar category as little Guernsey (pop 65,000 or so) buying electric buses to help combat global warming in the face of the world’s two most populous countries (India and China pops 2.9bn) pumping out greenhouse gases without limit.

Stuart Garner
St Martin’s