The following scenario might appear to be from a comedy at one of our theatres; but it is not. It is a true story.
I would like to use this medium to highlight the critical state of our public health system and the plight of poor, unhealthy Jamaicans.
A young man's, wife, six months pregnant with her first child and in respiratory distress, bolted to the Accident and Emergency Unit of the University Hospital of the West Indies. She is a registered outpatient at their ante-natal clinic and was instructed to visit that area in the event of emergencies. Upon arrival, the couple were met by a security guard who questioned their reason for being there and then directed them to the nurses' station. The duty nurse, upon seeing them and hearing the complaint, blurted out "Go to Labour and Delivery." This without ascertaining how advanced the pregnancy was, making any checks of vital signs or rendering first aid.
In shock the young husband asked how he will get the wife, who was now barely conscious and could not stand on her own, there, and the response was: "The same way you got her here!"
No assistance was offered, no gurney, no wheelchair or medical escort, taking into consideration that the Labour and Delivery Ward was not around the corner. Directions to the Labour and Delivery Ward were given by the security guard -- "five sleeping policeman and then the right turn".
The husband held the now listless wife across the shoulders, shuffled her to their car and shoved her in as quickly as possible to get her there. He followed the guard's instructions and arrived at the destination only to find the steel grilles padlocked and unmanned. He panicked and started shouting as his wife's condition seemed to be deteriorating and they were now alone in a seemingly deserted, dimly lit area. A security guard appeared some time after and allowed entry. Medical assistance was finally attempted. However the doctor on duty did not have a stethoscope and utilised precious time in his endeavour to borrow one, while explaining to the young couple that the pregnant wife could possibly have a blood clot in her lung, which could be fatal! Thankfully it was not, but what if it were?
This is unbelievable, but true. What are poor Jamaicans in need of health care to do?
Juliet Steele
Kingston 19
romeosgirl52@yahoo.com
Shame on UHWI
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I would like to use this medium to highlight the critical state of our public health system and the plight of poor, unhealthy Jamaicans.
A young man's, wife, six months pregnant with her first child and in respiratory distress, bolted to the Accident and Emergency Unit of the University Hospital of the West Indies. She is a registered outpatient at their ante-natal clinic and was instructed to visit that area in the event of emergencies. Upon arrival, the couple were met by a security guard who questioned their reason for being there and then directed them to the nurses' station. The duty nurse, upon seeing them and hearing the complaint, blurted out "Go to Labour and Delivery." This without ascertaining how advanced the pregnancy was, making any checks of vital signs or rendering first aid.
In shock the young husband asked how he will get the wife, who was now barely conscious and could not stand on her own, there, and the response was: "The same way you got her here!"
No assistance was offered, no gurney, no wheelchair or medical escort, taking into consideration that the Labour and Delivery Ward was not around the corner. Directions to the Labour and Delivery Ward were given by the security guard -- "five sleeping policeman and then the right turn".
The husband held the now listless wife across the shoulders, shuffled her to their car and shoved her in as quickly as possible to get her there. He followed the guard's instructions and arrived at the destination only to find the steel grilles padlocked and unmanned. He panicked and started shouting as his wife's condition seemed to be deteriorating and they were now alone in a seemingly deserted, dimly lit area. A security guard appeared some time after and allowed entry. Medical assistance was finally attempted. However the doctor on duty did not have a stethoscope and utilised precious time in his endeavour to borrow one, while explaining to the young couple that the pregnant wife could possibly have a blood clot in her lung, which could be fatal! Thankfully it was not, but what if it were?
This is unbelievable, but true. What are poor Jamaicans in need of health care to do?
Juliet Steele
Kingston 19
romeosgirl52@yahoo.com
Shame on UHWI
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