A lesson shared by a doctor

May 18, 2018 Letters

Dear Editor,
I recently read Dr. Mark Devonish-MBBS MSC MRCP (UK) letter in your newspaper titled “For my mom and all mothers who died at Georgetown Hospital.” To say I had tears in my eyes will be putting it lightly. I put myself in his shoe and felt that pain deep down inside of me.
As a mom of two I refuse to think what life will be like for my two youngsters if I’m snatched away. As a daughter, I am grateful that my mom is alive and healthy and cannot fathom what it will be like when she is gone.
Many times I visited patients at the GPHC and other public hospitals, I can truly say whilst there are some really pleasant nurses and doctors there are indeed some rude and pompous ones present as well. Seeing that and experiencing their atrocious attitudes at times I always vow to myself that I will never put my life in their hands.
If I’m on my deathbed I want to leave this world surrounded by kind and compassionate health workers, not pigs. Even those professional and pleasant health care workers also feel their wrath.
I recently got my last kid at a very subdued and private hospital opposite the GPHC where many of the nurses and doctors are also attached to the GPHC. My gynecologist, a gentleman, was very thorough in all his examinations of me. Whatever questions, no matter how frivolous they were, he displayed patience, professionalism and sought to put my fears to rest.
Upon my admittance to the hospital, from the doctors, to the nurses right down to the cleaners, each and every worker made me feel at home. I was never left alone for too long. The nurses always came to check my blood pressure, temperature and also asked how I am feeling, etc.
I later developed a complication before delivery; my baby was in danger. To say I was scared is putting it lightly. I was petrified. I cried not for myself but for my unborn child. The nurses and the midwives maintained their calm and reassured me that everything will be ok although I could see they themselves had a little doubt in their eyes.
I took their reassurance as gospel and today my baby is happy and healthy. I don’t think I would have had so much hope without those nurses. I am forever grateful to them. A little compassion goes a long way for someone that is clinging to straws.
Why is it that we have to pay for compassion, attention and a few kind words? Why can’t the nurses and doctors (the majority are rude) at public hospitals display a little humanity or show a little compassion? Give a few reassuring words to patients and or their families? Do you need a raise of pay to display that you are human too?
I can only imagine those who are not fortunate enough to seek private medical care have to put up with at public hospitals. PUT yourself or a loved one in the shoe of those patients that you mistreat, shout at or ignore, would u like it?
Whilst some deaths are inevitable, a lot of deaths at public health institutions can be prevented if doctors or nurses diagnose correctly, and treat patients on time. We don’t expect you to play God but you can be a hero to someone whose life you save and an angel to their family. We are humans, we have feelings and we have a family that we want to go home to.
I urge you doctors and nurses at public health institutions to remove the smear of being rude and lackadaisical in your duties. Be kind to your patients; pay attention to their pains, if you can. Please do everything in your power to send home a healthy individual to their family and not in a coffin. We know your job is not an easy one but which job is easy? We put our lives in your hands because we trust you and believe that you will try everything to help us feel better.
Dr. Devonish, thank you for sharing your experience, that is, your mom’s experience with us. Thank you for being a doctor who chooses to make a change because of his personal experience. I am sorry your siblings and you grew up without your parents but I’m happy your aunt at the age of 22 took up the mantle to make you and the others persons of worth.
Thank you for not being one who is scared of highlighting the shortcomings of the public health care system. Wherever your mom and brother are I’m sure they are proud of you.
Doctor, I wish you all the best.
Sincerely,
Anna

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