AS a passionate writer on some of the issues that are continuously challenging us, I continue to follow up the many comments of concerns made by some of our health workers on some of the fundamental needs that the Central Hospital is lacking.
As we can all witness, the Central Hospital is very slowly undertaking some changes.
The shifting of some of the departments is indeed truly visible.
There is now a tent been set up in front of the central hospital purposely for the extra population that come to seek medical treatment or people that are caring for their sick to wait and rest.
The tent has been there since five to six months ago. No one knows when that tent is to be removed.
It is very hot and does not at all help those who rest under. Also some parts of the hospital are being painted new.
Are these the necessary changes that are needed or there are other areas that needs to start with first?
As a regular visitor to the hospital I felt that it is inhumane to put patients in the outpatient area where they are being exposed to those who come into the hospital and also to the noise.
All our sick have the right to a decent bed as well as have the right to privacy. Women and children in particular are been placed in a public area with no sense of privacy.
These are sick people who stay there regardless of whether they like it or not. The way I see it, the central hospital has no other alternative but to put such people there.
Apart from that, the emergency department is another concern. The rooms in that department are so small without any bathroom and toilet facilities. The very sick will have to go out of their rooms for the use of these facilities.
To put two very sick people in one room is a major mockery of what a hospital is.
Those rooms are very hot, not decent enough to place two very sick people in any of them.
It is very shocking in deed to see that sick patients are lying on both sides of the Emergency department only making the middle path as a pave way to walk.
For our very committed health workers, they have no option, but to work in a room that is so crowded with sick and very sick people.
The environment in which these health workers find themselves in is very challenging indeed.
What I had expressed above is so invisible. A couple of nights ago, I was at the hospital up until midnight.
It was shocking to see that very sick people including little children sleeping in the open area where the public phones were used to be.
I could not help myself thinking that if this is how things are going for the only biggest health facility in the country, then the chance of losing a lot of lives will be far greater than ever.
It is not a very good prospect when seeing a mother trying to protect her very sick child from the wind with an umbrella.
Apart from this, another woman who is also very sick was trying to cover herself from both the wind and the stare from people around her.
Seeing all these, makes me realise that the health system of this country can only be described as very poor, one that lacks resources and one that falls short of providing quality health care for its population.
If the status of the central hospital is the way it is now, then what do we expect our other health care centres in other parts of the country to be like?
If the outpatient area is the way it is then trying visiting other wards as well as other facilities within the hospital?
For instance the toilet facilities as was described by a patient: “Man toelet ia nara we nao.
“Hem barava no gud. Everi taem mi go lo toelet mi siki no moa, so sam taems mi stap olsem no moa mi no laek fo go.”
A week ago, two of our doctors were expressing their concerns on the fact that often the operating theatre lack resources and that leads to cancellation of some of our people who are supposed to be operated on.
This is a very serious matter and it is horrendous that doctors continuously informing the public and in particular the relevant authorities and the whole governance of the Ministry responsible.
This is a life and a death matter, yet those that are in a position to respond are not responding fast enough.
What else can be more important than the life of a sick person who is between life and death, but to provide enough resources for quality health services?
What is seen here so far is a question of quality leadership.
Why is it that relevant authorities are slow in addressing such an urgent matter by providing quality health care to our people?
Quality health care is not only about providing adequate medicine for the sick, but to provide an environment that is fitting for the sick, providing enough expertise in particular through our dedicated doctors and nurses ensuring that they too have their needs met.
To make these things happen those in authority must take a keen interest in the daily chores of the hospital and the health system as a whole.
This is about getting down to the hospital more often to see what is going on as well as to communicate with those who work there and with the sick as well.
To find out exactly the challenges that these people face daily. There are times when importance is placed on meetings after meetings, but not really addressing the issue.
By the way it look, the central hospital needs more resources that can cater for both the sick and the population of our nurses and doctors who works there.
Such an environment is to be provided by responsible authorities.
Is it a question of lack of funding that makes the hospital lack all the resources that it needs?
Or is it a question of leadership? Personally, it can be either, however I would see it as an issue of leadership.
The issue of funding is not a problem. Millions and millions of dollars are donated by donors every year and I believe that one of the most important areas that donors invest in is in the area of health.
At the same time how much money and human resource is being invested by our government into our health system?
I am afraid that our government is investing less into our health system and depending on foreign donors to do that.
If that is so, then I see the many challenges that our health system will face in the future as well as those who are working for the system and it will hit hard on our sick population.
Just think about the seriousness of some of the information provided by our doctors. Cancellation of people who are supposed to be operated on due to lack of resources in the operating room is very scary and terrifying.
What else is more important than the life of a person? It would be very interesting to see how urgent such an issue is addressed by the governance body or those responsible.
Would they be responding to it effectively or would they be responding to my article only, trying to justify why such issues are not been addressed adequately and appropriately?
It is understandable why certain expectations don’t happen. In regards to the central hospital may be relevant authorities are waiting for certain findings and reports to assist them with what is to be done.
One of those reports is the one documented by the committee headed by the Hon. Minister for Vona Vona, Hon Peter Boyers.
The report is taking so much time to compile while the hospital is falling apart. Can anyone explain to the public why such a report is delayed?
Is it not a public document? When is it going to be made available as a working document for the Ministry of Health and Medical Services? I hope it is not going to take another six months to complete.
Finally, the way I see it, the government of this country will have to be accountable and responsible enough to cater for the needs of the sick, our doctors and nurses.
Our government will need to recognize that our health system is not functioning as it should be.
The government will have to invest in our health system. I should also say that the donor community will have to do its part by working together to invest more into our health system. Health of anybody is important.
Government of Solomon Islands through the Ministry of health I can only say one thing and that is there is lack of competent leadership and that is failing the sick population of this country as well as failing to meet the needs of your employees, our very dedicated doctors and nurses.
Your leadership is responsible and accountable to the people of this country, to tell them why?
Is it an issue of funding, because right now, central hospital can no longer accommodate our sick and it is in an appalling condition?
How long will it take you to recognise that it is inhumane for the hospital to continue with the way it is.
It is pure negligence I am afraid it may turn into a criminal act because it is human life that the hospital is purposely set up to serve.
One is not talking about a building, but a building of people that needs quality health service in every way.
Looking at it, our health system is seriously very ill. Something has to be done immediately to ease the current situation.
Relevant authorities, do something now and do it fast because time is not on our side.
By ELLA KAUHUE
Honiara
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
