Minister of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, has denied that the injuries to Colwyn Harding, the 23-year-old man who claims that he was sexually assaulted with a baton by a policeman while in custody, were not caused by rape, but instead are related to an incarcerated hernia.

Amidst shouts of ‘cover up,’ the Health Minister told the House that the patient had surgery for an incarcerated hernia. This condition, he said, reached a point where Harding’s bowels had become gangrenous.

He said that in juxtaposing the claim of the sexual assault, this needs to be taken into account.

According to the Health Minister, a section of his intestine had to be removed and the two lengths connected. This, Ramsaran said, was done on December 18, after which there was a breakdown of the joining. The Minister said that this led to a septic condition within the abdomen and he had to be reopened for a strangulated hernia.

Ramsaran said that following the breakdown in the joining of the intestines, Harding had to be reopened and rejoined, and this led to the use of Colostomy bags.

The bags are used by Harding to defecate since he is unable to use his anus.

The Minister maintained that the first surgery done on Harding on December 18 was because he was complaining of pains to the right scrotum when it was discovered that he had an incarcerated hernia.

The second surgery according to Minister Ramsaran was done on December 28.

“What our surgical professionals are saying is that the patient was operated on because of pain in the right scrotum area, this is what caused the injuries to the bowel,” according to Ramsaran.

The Minister said that the persons juxtaposing Harding’s injuries with the sexual assault have to be careful, as it is not necessarily the case that the injuries were caused by the reported sexual assault.

According to Ramsaran, he is optimistic that following the second operation, Harding will once again be able to use his anus for the purpose it was intended.

Asked whether the Ministry would send Harding overseas for further treatment, Minister Ramsaran, told the House that this would not be happening.

“This is a case well within the reach of our skills and practice.”

The Minister sought to assure the House that the Georgetown Public Hospital along with its surgeons and resources are fully able to deal with an incarcerated hernia.

Asked about an independent examination of Harding, Minister Ramsaran told the House that he (Harding) was free to seek a second opinion.  During a recent interview with this publication Harding had explained that he was brutalized in front of his girlfriend who was placed outside the house when she began to object.