Somewhere along the way, people forgot that their health is important; that medicine is a noble profession, an art and a science; and that doctors are human too, just with the added responsibility of opening people up, fixing the problem and bringing the person back, in some cases, from the brink of death.
I read about healthcare issues around the world and see a disheartening pattern emerging. I read about physician depression and even cases of physician suicide from being overworked, underpaid and blatantly disrespected. I read about doctors opting out of the system, leaving their training behind to seek more fulfilling and far better paying positions because its simply just not worth it anymore. They leave quacks to continue on in their place, because for some reason people would rather pay a herbalist/medicine man/witch doctor than a trained medical professional.
I hear about healthcare professions who are jobless because they are now required to pay a bribe before they can get a job in the counties. Then, if they do get in, they have to work at the behest of a semi-literate politician and not in service of the best interests of their patients; of doctors/clinician/nurses being sent to hospitals where they cannot do their work because the procured equipment and supplies worth millions never quite made it to the facility.
I have experienced the new culture where health insurance companies dictate patient care based on the premiums and packages paid for. Doctors having their hands tied by the system and being unable to do what’s best for their patients. Where patients are restricted to only seeing the “doctors on the panel”. A panel that requires the doctors to line several pockets just to be included. Nothing is merit or performance/skill/expertise based any more. I watch as health care systems get overwhelmed when everyone rushes in to “use up that insurance plan before it expires” and stock up their home medical supplies cabinets for the coming year.
I witness this scary new era where people are no longer patients but clients or customers and as we all know, “the client is always right”. So you walk in having “googled” your symptoms and proceed to dictate the care you want to receive, completely disregarding the opinion of the medically trained professional in front of you. If they refuse to comply, you seek a second and third opinion until you find someone who simply doesn’t care enough to deal with your crap and gives you the prescription you’re seeking so persistently. Regardless of your true diagnosis.
I watch doctors/clinicians who have been subjected to abuse by a system which for years forces them to work under deplorable conditions, with close to no pay, finally make it out the other end and focus on nothing else but making money. Getting back all that is owed to them. Barely a care for the patients they see as long as they get paid in full. Which ironically works perfectly with patients who come in simply to dictate their own treatment.
I listen to people tell me that “medicine is a calling” as they try to justify asking to pay half price for the best treatment plan recommended; because somehow my landlord, utility suppliers, kids’ schools and the supermarket I shop at have also received this call and don’t charge me for goods and services rendered. The same people then turn around and complain bitterly about “brain drain” and “losing professionals whose training they invested heavily in” when medics leave to thrive in greener international pastures where they are actually paid their worth.
I read on social media the hate piled upon medic’s for looking presentable while doing their jobs. The suggestion that because she looks young, has her hair done and wears heels somehow implies that she isn’t good at her job. That because he makes a point to see his barber every week, invests in designer shoes and wears a nice wrist watch means he can’t possibly also make time to keep up to date with his medical knowledge. I mean…?!
Somewhere along the way we let madness prevail. We let our healthcare systems fail us. We let our medical professionals down. We stopped putting ourselves and our health first.
I look down at my hands now and think of the amazing things that they do every day. The gentle but decisive way in which they perform an examination to make a diagnosis before coming up with and carrying out a treatment plan; the reassuring squeeze they give a shoulder to help an anxious patient calm down and trust me before their operation; the skilled and patient intent with which they hold that scalpel to perform that surgery; the firm handshake or compassionate hug they give when the patient comes back feeling better and having recovered fully to say “Asante Daktari”.
I look at my hands and smile. Because despite it all I refuse to give up on my craft. Despite the negativity, I refuse to give up on my people. I took an oath, “ to do no harm” . Despite the bleak times, I will push on.
We had this discussion at home where a doctor,a clinician and a nurse are well represented. Truth is our systems are bogus and even the insurance is a sham. We also concluded that Doctors’ being leaders in the health sector have failed miserably. They had the best chance to unify all health personnel under 1 body led by 1 general,they blew away the chance reason being theirs is a unique practice.There is strength in numbers and i have come to appreciate that there is significant force needed streamline healthcare. We must embrace and accommodate others despite the differences. Thats the only sure way to have doctors who can comfortably pass on the skills and knowledge without feeling threatened.Thats the only sure way to develop adopt and execute work plans that favour the health worker.
intern unatusumbua. soma kwa bidii soon utakuwa consoultant. unadhani other proffesions they have it easy? uliza engineers how hard it it to obtain the engineers license in Kenya ndipo utajua. hii upuzi ya glorifying doctors and some proffesions iliisha kitambo.
You chose to be a Doctor, I chose to be a businessman, I am not complaining
Sisi hutumwa boni forest bila hata ballistic vest na hatusumbui watu…suck it up like a man…
Prevention is better than treatment. Sadly, people don’t take care of their health only to cry later on when the disease is too advanced. What people don’t know is that medicine has become a business, a very lucrative one at that. I work as a hospital admin, I could say a lot about what’s wrong with our healthcare system but I’ll leave it at that. Eat right, exercise, stay on top of your preventive health screenings, and just pray you never get seriously ill.