Dear Editor,
I would like to bring to the attention of the subject minister of health, some cases in less than a few days that are the actual reflection of the health system in Region Six. I was approached by an individual from New Amsterdam a few days ago and he said that on 18th Feb 2018 he visited the New Amsterdam Hospital emergency section with a serious belly ache. The doctor on duty prescribed two Hytorix injections that were not available at the hospital and as such had to be purchased at a local pharmacy.
After the person got the injection (Hytorix) he was told to return the next day for an ultrasound. Unfortunately when he returned the next day he was told that he had to wait until the 12th March 2018. The person had to pay six thousand dollars privately to get this service. He was then diagnosed with kidney stones and was treated for the ailment privately with a sum attached. The patient’s problem is solved and today is only the 25th Feb 2018.
This incident in question is the actual every-day situation of the health system in Region Six. Another recent incident relates to a 13-year-old who was in an accident since the 1st January 2018 and who is still waiting on a date to correct his dislocated shoulder. The reason for not going to a private hospital was because his family doesn’t have the resources to do so. The young man is not presently going to school and awaiting the surgery.
Millions of taxpayers’ money is being spent and the health system continues to deteriorate. The national ophthalmology hospital is not functioning to date, can’t do a cataract surgery and the government is not making any attempt to fix it. What is more worrying is when these issues are being raised the excuses are many, so many that we remain the same way and the people continue to suffer.
The excuses for not having drugs at all the government hospitals is that the Materials Management Unit is only supplying essential drugs and when a drug is short irrespective of what drug, it is because it is not an essential drug. We are demanding the minister make the list of essential drugs public so that residents could be aware of the drugs available and what should be purchased. It must be concluded that health care services are not free anymore for residents. It is time to hold these government officials responsible for mismanagement of taxpayers’ money.
Yours faithfully,
Zamal Hussain
Regional Councillor, Region Six
Chairman of the Regional Health
Committee
