As we all may have heard, Saddam Hussein has been executed. This to me was done in haste and he probably did not get the fairest of trials. Unfortunately, the United States who so often champions justice has failed miserably in attending to his basic human rights exposing their double standard practice in their foreign policy.

Despite centuries of evolution, Man has never really deviated from their barbaric past. From infamous torture techniques to gladiator wars, Man has often savoured death. Perhaps often giving Man a sense of power and greatness.

Life is a gift of God and only God can take that away. I always thought religions teach that. However, hate and revenge has obviously prevailed often opting for death as a solution to our problems.

It is amazing how you can pick up a book and find yourself engrossed in its contents. It has never crossed my mind to buy non-medical books. There was simply no monetary allocation for non-medical books. Today was different.

So here I was browsing a shelf between the categories of "self-help" and "death & dying" at Borders. It was only moments ago that I browsed through a rags to riches or rather peasant to celebrity storyline, when I happen to pull a book titled "Chasing Daylight".

The subtitle read " How My Forthcoming Death Transformed My Life" by Eugene O'Kelly. That name meant nothing to me. However his story stumped me. A successful man with everything going his way hacked down to size by a diagnosis of advanced brain cancer, glioblastoma multiforme. It is the way that he dealt with the situation that intrigued me.

As doctors, a diagnosis of cancer or even death itself can be taken rather lightly. After all , it happens everyday and we have grown rather immune to it. For patients, it can be a life transforming event. Not everyone is as "lucky" as Eugene who had the finances and social support or the ability to tell his story. Many have to brave the storm ill equipped.

His book is not only about how he dealt with death but has important pointers as to how to live.

"All the plans that Corinne and I had made for our future had to be junked. It was hard not to lament that one of the big reasons we'd sacrificed so much time together , across so many years, as I traveled the world and worked ungodly hours - namely, so that on the other side of it we could enjoy a prosperous retirement together- had been a tease, only we hadn't known it."

It reflects what so many of us are doing. Spending so much time at work, that life passes us by. Saving for the future and neglecting the present can be a foolish act.

The fascination continues as I turn the pages.

Not many people sit and write their resolutions for the new year. I certainly have not. Resolutions are just not as simple as just wanting to pass your exams or perhaps a better paying job. That will certainly negate the need to write a resolution annually.

It entails looking back at your life and the direction it is heading. It is like looking at a compass and making sure that you are heading in the intended direction. The destination is life itself and the annual resolution is just a minute checklist along this arduous journey called life.

The year end is always an opportune time to reevaluate and redirect your life. It is when you look at the whole picture, that bumps in life like a poorly paid job, an unrespecting boss or perhaps the betrayal of a friend, become trivialties in life.

Sometimes I wish time could be fast forwarded to the penultimate years. It is afterall the destination in life. Who you are, is perhaps not important but rather who is around you that matters. It is the lives that you have touched and the significance of your presence to others, that prolongs your legacy.

That is, to me, the ultimate resolution.

Christmas is finally at our doors. Dark clouds linger threatening a graceful evening. Preparations have been flawless to welcome a resplendent ambiance. A moment of Christmas frozen in time.

Blessed Christmas to all.

Picture yourself walking up a deserted hallway in the wee hours of the morning. There is no one else in sight except for the chirping of crickets. Then suddenly you feel a sense that you are being followed. A quick check confirms no other physical beings in sight. Your fear grows as you walk hurriedly back to the security of a human companion.

This is a common account often repeated by on-call medical officers at our local hospitals. Is it real or just a symptom of a fickle mind?

Perhaps hospitals are a dwelling place for restless spirits. Could it be a demise too sudden trapping them between two worlds? Or maybe there is some unfinished business.

Hospitals are notorious locations for being haunted. How real are these supernatural encounters? Is it worth investigating these paranormal experiences? Or are doctors really working in the midst of a ghostly community, ever attempting to communicate in apparently haunting terms?

You decide.

In this festive period, a sense of sadness hovers overhead. A recent conversation with a family friend who is fighting advanced breast cancer has left an indelible mark. Having failed even second line chemotherapy, the hopes appear to be fading. Her fears are unmistakable as she attempts bravely at fighting back the tears. Clinging on to an elusive hope of improvement, she battles through the pain. A delayed CT only prolongs and delays the agonising truth.

I cannot truly comprehend the emotional turmoil that broils beneath the surface. The sight of your body decaying requires heroic bravery and enduring spirituality. She fights the battle alone as others appear as helpless bystanders. The years of medical education appear otiose.

The inevitable truth is that she will not see her next birthday..... This will undeniably be her last Christmas as a mortal being. Time is running out as the lights are finally dimmed.

As we browse through the dailies, one cannot help but notice the increasing brutality of crimes being committed from snatch thefts and rape to barbaric murders. Even then , this is only the surface of human savagery.

A human inclination for malevolent lies is a symptom of modern barbarism. Venomous lies can destroy from a safe cowardly distance. Gossips are often seen as a benign nuisance resulting from monotony. However, some are pre-planned to maximise damage, often adding much humuliating spice to demonise the unfortunate target.

Indeed, such are the evil surrounding us that sometimes it becomes extremely difficult to even trust the closest of friends. The disruptive and intrusive nature rapes the very core of our flesh ripping it to shreds. Sadly this is the intended effect.

It is in such circumstance, that the true substance of humanity surfaces. Pleading for others to exercise basic common sense and not spiral into a addictive cycle of viciousness. It becomes ever important to hold your ground and not yield to such beastly perpetrators. Succumbing to these atrocious gossips only fuels such devilish intent and handing them an undeserving victory.

Such winds of evil is only a passing fad often losing strength as they sweep by. They are often unseen but the destruction ever visible. If withstanding the wind is not possible, one can only persevere and rebuild, gaining much strengthening experience.

We have arrived at a time of year when buying gifts is the top agenda. However, shopping around for the ultimate gift can be a challenge for many. Some decide to opt for conventional gift ideas while others dabble with a little more adventure.

Many never realise that gifts speak volumes. It actually can be laboriously enjoyable buying gifts for those you care about. This complex emotion is, well, complex. It can display the depth of understanding and care between the giver and the receiver. It can symbolise the cementing of a great friendship.

The price of a gift has always been a contentious issue. Many believe that it is the thought that actually counts. Perhaps that is not always the entire truth. A gift that is too cheap can often make a mockery of a supposedly steadfast friendship. Conversely, not all cheap gifts are shallow in meaning.

The type of gift is of cardinal importance. Choosing the right one can signify hours of discerning conversations. It reflects the hidden abstract meaning of that friendship.

The manner of giving a gift cannot be ignored either. A meaningful gift can lose that lustre if given in a haphazard and unplanned way. Choosing the ideal moment and setting is to be considered when planning for a gift. It can augment and magnify the impact of such a gift.

Gifts need not be physical materials at all. Sometimes, the presence of another individual on a special occasion is a gift in itself. The fragility of life often reminds us of just how little time there is left to spend with a loved one.

So what is the perfect gift?

To me, the perfect gift is when you see that special bright wide smile on the face of a loved one. It demonstrates the joy that only you can bring. That moment can never truly be bought.

Christmas decorations are abundant in many shopping complexes at this time of the year. Ingenious designs at their lobbies will bring one into a fantasy world where fairy tales are brought to life. Glittering lights on Christmas trees will surely dazzle, luring shoppers into a paradise of lights and colour. Shoppers are tempted with infinite alluring gift options.

Indeed Christmas has been turned into an economic franchise. A time when annual savings are potentially spent in an instant, with many absorbed by the hypnotic decor and festive cheer. So non-Christians may ask, what exactly is Christmas? Is it Santa Clause or perhaps the buying of gifts?

What has happened to Christ in Christmas? Is it not because of Christ that Christmas is celebrated? Or is it now X'mas rather than "Christ"mas?

Some exclaim that the word Christmas is too long and thus the birth of the abbreviation X'mas. I beg to differ. There are many who have hijacked the true meaning of christmas and thus have attempted to remove Christ from Christmas. Walk along any shopping complex and you will hardly see Christ in the festive equation.

Imagine on your supposed birthday, you are deliberately ignored with others celebrating for an apparently different reason. Would you not be upset?

Despite all the festivities and cheerful faces, it must be an extremely sorrowful period for the One for which these celebrations were initially meant for. It's X'mas that many are witnessing at shopping complexes, sadly NOT Christmas.

The internet is becoming an necessary tool in managing patients. It places the breadth of knowledge at the tips of our fingers. It allows quick references especially when dealing with less common illnesses. Therefore allowing internet access at various locations within the hospitals should have been the route to go. Unfortunately, the reverse is practised at UMMC.

Internet access is blocked at almost all computer terminals. It appears they are trying to discourage the use of the internet at workplaces. A few unwarranted accesses to "forbidden" sites is enough reason to discontinue access to the web. There is little attempt at educating individuals on using the internet responsibly. Therefore instead of encouraging the staff to embrace the information highway, the top managerial echelon felt that it was more beneficial to smother internet use.

Internet can be used in many ways apart from checking one's mail. It's use is expanding and rapid acceptance of this technology is essential if we are to move forward with the rest of the world. As with any tool, there is potential for abuse. However, that should not be the reason to stifle internet access. It can be used to improve patient healthcare and increase efficiency.

It appears many in positions of power lack foresight and appears completely oblivious to the developments surrounding them. More so, many decisions are based on archaic and unteneble logic. It is no wonder UM is sliding down the rankings!