My dream of becoming a doctor was born from the desire to save people's lives. I wanted to be part of those whose names would go down in history for delivering people from the hands of death and all kinds of afflictions related to health.
Prior to that time, I never realized that there were conditions attached to saving lives in the hospital until my sister was in labor.
There were complications, so the doctor suggested a cesarean section. My sister's husband was not having money at the time because things were difficult.
Innocent me was thinking, the hospital would proceed with the service while we make provision for the money, but guess what? My sister was kept in pain with no doctor paying attention to her until my mother took out a loan and deposited half of the money.
That day, my mentality changed. The question is, what if we had nowhere to access money at that time? Probably my sister would have suffered with the pain, and who knows what would have happened.
Only God knows how many people died not because it was their time but because they had no money to be attended to in the hospital.
I am not trying to be sentimental, but honestly, I think society and government don't really care about anyone.
I am not going to put the blame on any worker. Most of them work based on instructions; their hands are usually tied, and if they stubbornly cross the line, they may have to settle those shorts from their pockets.
And in the case of private hospitals, the owners need to raise money to keep the business going, otherwise, it crashes.
It's just so pathetic that both sides have a reason to be considered. On the side of the patient, their lives ought to be considered, while on the side of the workers, they have to follow instructions or face the consequences.
There are patients who, after showing them kindness by giving services without demanding any deposit first, immediately run away when they feel relieved. Some may not run but may never pay.
I am certain that these are some of the reasons that contribute to the strict rules of “no payment, no service” we have in hospitals today.
Money is not supposed to be the reason why people's lives are left to perish, but what can we do? Our society is centered on money; we just have to play along.
My concern most of the time is government hospitals. If our government genuinely cares about us, are our medical services not supposed to be free for every citizen?
What are we truly enjoying for free from the government? With all the money it is generating from us, is it a crime to at least make government hospitals free?
I know that the cost is usually less compared to private hospitals, but I think that is not enough.
Some people don't have enough money to pay for certain treatments; no wonder some of them sit at home and allow their situation to get worse.
And you won't put the blame on them, even if they should go to the nearest clinic, they wouldn't be attended to unless they pay.
Our government can come through for us and make life better if they want to, but it won't.
I am not ignorant of the fact that if medical services become free, some people would misuse the privilege, but many who are genuinely in need would be saved.
Sadly, all these will always be a dream. No one is coming to our aid; we just need to find a way to save ourselves.
As much as many staff in the medical field want to help, they can not go against the laid down rules, and to be frank, they are not wicked.
Unless the system is changed, or personally, someone decides to take responsibility for the patient's bill, I am afraid nothing can be done about that rule.
N.B: All Images Were Generated By Gemini AI