Let our hope live!

The deplorable state of our public hospitals has recently made me stare at the realities of our economic priorities in the eye. It was like an ailment in itself with all its complications.  Not knowing where or what to do and where to start at all.

Our neighbor brought our house help to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in an emergency last Friday.  Much to my gratitude for their generous support as I was still not home when it occurred.  Our help had a miscarriage and had to be rushed to the emergency room of the hospital.  That was around seven in the evening.

When I got to the hospital at a quarter to eight, she was still at the Ob-gyn ER waiting for her turn. I had to thank God for at least she did not look as horrible as I imagined as I drove to the hospital to see her.  I was grateful too that possibly her choice to eat mostly fish and vegetables must have kept her healthy albeit the loss of blood.

There were so many patients and only two doctors (or PGIs, am not sure) and a nurse who were working on taking the history of the many patients there.  It was apparent that some patients were in pain as they disregarded modesty and lay in their most comfortable positions in a heat-laden room. I could not help but admire my house help who tried to make room for the other patients who looked more uncomfortable than her.  In fact ' til now I wonder how more than twelve patients fit in that very small room. Of course some of them had to share a stretcher. The others managed to convert one bed into a seat as they shared space. 

A few paces ahead, there were  more and more ambulance stretchers being rolled in and out another emergency room, not maternity related, I could see a hospital staff, possibly a doctor, am not sure if he was a doctor with the influx of patients, pumping the chest of a dying old man. It was a sad sight as his relatives stared resignedly at him.

It was close to 11:00 p.m. When we were told to work out our help's admission as she needed to undergo a procedure to ensure the total cleansing of her uterus. It was close to 3:00 a.m. when she was finally rolled to the operating room as there was a long queue of patients ahead of her. I was torn between calling her husband and waiting for things to be well so I would not alarm him as he was still in Negros and would really get startled if I give him a call. I left my help to do the calling herself which she did after her procedure.  I just took courage from the assurance of both the doctor, and ironically, my house help herself, said that she would be all right.  My worry must have shown in my face for our roles reversed from my giving her comfort, to her reassuring me she would be fine.

She was rolled out of the operating room close to an hour and a half later. I took consolation from the lady security guard who walked me to an assigned ward for my help. With all the chaos around, with patients coming, one after another from all over Cebu, people were just functioning on routine and the compassion of the lady guard was commendable.

I should say the corridors of the hospital inside were clean. However, when we entered the ward, I gazed at the sad reality of our public medical facility with sorrow.  That is the only word I could describe the sadness that welled on me. Patients shared a bed in the heat-drenched room.  If there was any consolation, it was that in spite the cramp the room was clean though the comfort rooms reeked.

I had to count my blessings when our help was brought to another holding room at around 4:30 in the morning.  Even if the sign at the door read 'male' it was all right for me since inside there was a mix of genders and each person had a bed to himself. 

We were asked to bring the sample of the coagulated blood taken from the uterus of my help to be brought to the lab or biopsy. At the lab, the attendant asked me to buy a bigger specimens container which had to be bought outside. I found this odd having been used to private hospitals bringing the specimens directly to their labs after an operation.  To top it all, I was asked to pour the specimen myself into the cup by the attendant who was so tired-looking and sleepy. I had to quell a quick queasiness that assailed me, and requested he do it for me.  He brought me inside the lab and did it himself.  I wondered why he had to bring me there.  Perhaps he needed me to witness the transfer so I would not suspect the samples being switched.  Whatever his reasons, my sympathies went to him as we'll for he looked so bone- weary and was probably extending his patience one extra mile for me. I would like to think so.

Getting my help out of the hospital was another long wait.  It seemed like I consumed the whole Saturday waiting for the bill to be processed. We were finally out of the hospital at 11:00 p.m.

Though all those time I wished that those who could share some of their extensive resources would have the compassion to give to the public medical centers as this is one area in need of financial support.  There is a need for more doctors and nurses who could attend to the poor patients.  With the glut of nurses we have in the labor market, some of them could be hired here.  We need more medical practitioners here as well who would unselfishly share their expertise for the better good. 

Could it be possible to ask at least a day's pay from our successful private medical consultants to finance more young doctors in our government hospitals? It's just a thought really.  But we'll, if corporations have a CSR can we seek this type of social response from our very successful doctors? I know of a few who have been steadily helping, and I pray their tribe will increase.  I also hope that as our country grows more conscious of our social concerns, our political leaders will seriously fight corruption and work for the longed for delivery of free medical services.  Hopefully too, by then or even before then, people will also be proud to pay their taxes conscientiously.

Let’s keep hope alive and make it real!