Two days ago, I took my eldest son to his pediatrician because of his tonsilitis. On our way home I remembered a surreal experience I had five years ago while visiting a relative confined in a rural health unit.
When we reached the health unit it was already dark and most of the visitors were leaving. As we entered the room, I saw my relative with two other patients. One patient was an elderly woman who was attached to an oxygen tank. A few minutes later, two hospital staff came in and talked to the elderly woman's companions. On their way out, one of them asked the other if they will clean up the room. The other replied, "Mamya na. Malapit na rin yan. Di na uubra yang oxygen." (Let's do it later. She won't last anyway. The oxygen won't work anymore). To my surprise the companions of the patient did not say anything. Were they too tired to react? Or maybe too emotionally drained to feel anything? Or perhaps, they got used to being treated that way?
We went out of the room and walked towards the lobby. Our attention was caught by a loud discussion between two women and a nurse. The frail young woman looked worried while the older woman, who was standing in front of the young woman, was visibly annoyed. She was talking to the nurse. The place was very quiet except for the discussion that was going on so I can hear them clearly. The older woman was requesting the nurse to get the doctor for them because the younger woman has puss-like substance coming out of her breast. The woman demanded, requested and pleaded for the chance to see the doctor but the nurse was adamant that the doctor cannot be disturbed from his sleep. Without looking at the young woman, the nurse concluded that it was just breast milk. When the woman said that it's painful and smelly, the nurse, in her infinite wisdom, suggested cleaning it with hot water. As she was closing the door to the nurses' station, she 'kindly' reminded the women to immediately see the doctor the next day. The women were left standing - silent and confused. Were they angry? Maybe, but they didn't say a word after the door closed.
The next day, the doctor said my relative needed a blood transfusion. After blood typing - he was type B - he was told that he needed to bring to the hospital at least two people who can be possible donors. Back in his home, his family became busy looking for possible donors. Unfortunately, they couldn't find a fit type B donor. All of those who can donate blood were type A. As it was an emergency, they decided to just buy the two bags of blood from a blood bank in the province's capital, which was more than two hours away by jeepney. Finally, they got the two bags of blood and when they reached the hospital, the process for the transfusion was immediately started. Alas, the blood cannot be used. He was a type A after all. The person who did the typing made a mistake. So they were ordered by the doctor to get the type A donors instead. A few months later,he died.
According to the Department of Health, "Affordability is the main reason for going to a government medical facility, while excellent service is the main reason for going to a private medical facility." (http://www.doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/3%20Chapter1.pdf) Can't those in the government medical facilities in far flung municipalities get excellent service too?
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