by Brian JM Joseph
It’s very disturbing, listening to the woeful cries and reports of negligence and lack of professionalism that’s taking place in Grenada’s ailing Healthcare system. This is not a fabricated story, because many patients using the public healthcare system can attest to such grievances.
Conditions have become so deplorable the indignity is sickening, lack of confidentiality amongst staff, poor nurses to patient relationship, vice-versa in most instances most patients are not afforded the rights to speak in terms of treatments, because the attitude being displayed is ‘I’m the nurse or I’m the doctor.’ Such behaviours are unacceptable, poor execution of judgement, lack of skills within the nursing profession and negligence ‘many nurses believed they are doing patients a favour.’ They need to get back to reality and wake up and come to the realisation because they are not — our taxpayer money is what keeping you afloat. Therefore, all patients have to be treated equally with same due care and attention you’ll give to the bourgeoisies. There should be no favouritism or partisanship until our healthcare providers understand that things will be much better.
Where is the passion in the profession? We all should love what we do as a profession, and once it’s done in the name of humanity, we should feel proud. My philosophy has always been ‘finding greater joy in giving human service to others.’ It’s the profession you chose, so if you are not doing it for humanity you need to get out of the service. If you are a lover of money then you should’ve gotten a job in the banking sector or become an accountant with a chartered firm. We are all humans with a heart of conscience and soul. We all do have emotions and feeling, it’s always said we must treat others, the same way we would like to be treated by others, that is food for thought, for those who walk around with a heartless mentality being morbid showing little or no love and empathy for humanity.
I’m ashamed to see how we treat one another especially patients who are seeking medical care and attention. It’s vital that we create a conducive environment for healing, not a hostile one. Many patients are afraid of accessing our healthcare services because they are scared of the many reports coming out from the system. Patients often make those harsh statements that they rather die at home than going to the hospital, when those profound statements are made you know for a fact something is definitely wrong.
Those inhuman behaviours are not only coming from nurses but doctors also. I have always been excited when I can give human service to others, genuine human service selfless and true. I have given 17 years of dedicated professional service working in private healthcare sector and ‘it’s an achievement I’m very proud of.’ All those who had the opportunity of being graced with my presence or being nursed by myself in any way can tell you my reputation precedes me.
Our taxpayer dollars should be spent trying to improve our healthcare system even if it means persons will have to be paying a small fee for service rendered. I think government will have to try looking in that direction to make the necessary changes or improvements within the health sector. Everything costs money and it’s time government stops playing party politics and do what has to be done to bring about changes, even if it means privatising, then so be it.
It cannot be business as usual, too much monies are being spent and nothing coming in. ‘Is government going to continue operating at a loss with astronomical amount of debts which is crippling the sector badly. In my honest opinion, we need a brand new state of the art hospital with all the amenities necessary for improving lives and we must not forget to encourage our people to eat healthy better the wealth of a nation depends on the health of its people.
Conditions at the public hospitals are fairly poor, lack of medications are an ongoing problem, while patients suffering from different ailment remain guarded. ‘I know many critics and party supporters will be the attack dogs run to the defence of the government. Opposing the truth makes any individual hypocritical, truth will always be truth and all those who take offense you have to much guiltiness on resting on their conscience. solve whatever issues we are faced with within the healthcare system. They are only making matters worse; that is one of the main reason why we might not be able to find solutions to our ailing healthcare problems.
Question, is there are too much cover-up and sweeping of stuff under the carpet? lack of medical specialist for patients who required specialist consult and treatment, have become very burdensome on the poor man’s pocket. It’s rather impossible for them to come up with huge sums of monies for the necessary medical treatment abroad. I’m sure the poor man are tired being beggars going around with donation sheets. We demand better services after working so hard over the years paying taxes we can’t enjoy proper healthcare. Some of us may not be able to go on vacation abroad, but at least we are all looking forward to a little luxurious healthcare system. I’m in favour of a brand new hospital with better services and specialist. I want to see government partnering with other entities and private investors to make all of this happen this is something that can work in collaboration with members of the private sector. ‘It’s not a matter of taking what you get but rather demanding better for yourselves and others. I firmly believe that healthcare reform is needed also to bring about positive changes that will benefit all who uses the various healthcare services and facilities.
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