Dear Editor,
I refer to a letter from one Ramcharitar in August 2023 about poor service at Woodlands Hospital, and he condemns that medical institution, which I personally admire. I always go to Woodlands Hospital for major problems; it is in my opinion the best run medical facility in Guyana. The only negative is that they are very hemmed in for space, and they should have resolved this situation a long time ago.
Years ago, I was diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD); this is a disease caused, in my case, from smoking heavily for 40 years. In a nutshell, it reduces one’s lung capacity very considerably, so that any cold etc. affecting the lungs is amplified seriously compared to normal people whose lungs are fully functional. And as I have been saying before, “Please stop smoking”, none of you can afford the medical complications which will arise in time from smoking.
I currently live in Prashad Nagar, so for convenience I was attending the Sheriff Clinic on Sheriff Street for Covid tests. I have been going there for almost 3 years and the Cuban doctor there who has been seeing me was aware that I have COPD and, in fact, has been monitoring my heart and my lung capacity for a long time.
A few months ago, I got bronchitis, my heart rate rose to 122 and my oxygen level was less than 88. So, I took a taxi to this clinic since I was afraid of passing out if I drove myself and they were close. These people know me, they have a file on me and when I got there I asked to be given emergency oxygen and nebulization to relieve my situation. The receptionist said that first I have to pay G$5,000 to see the doctor, which, barely able to walk, I did. Then the Cuban doctor examined me and told me to go back outside he will be coming to assist me.
When he came, Editor, remember I was on the verge of collapse, and I was already hanging around there for more than 20 minutes untreated. He then told me that to examine me thoroughly they need me to agree to tests etc. totalling G$107,000. I told him that that was not going to happen, all I need is oxygen and nebulizing, since that is my immediate requirement. I then asked that their ambulance take me to Woodlands; they told me after 5 or 6 minutes that the ambulance will take 15 minutes, so I called a taxi which I use in Prashad Nagar and within 5 minutes I was at Woodlands, where within a few minutes I was nebulized and given oxygen in their emergency room.
They monitored me for almost two hours, then the doctor (whose name is Dr. Nurse) told me he would be happier if I was admitted for observation. I told him that I will allow myself to be admitted, but I would like to go back home to get cleaned up and pick up a few necessities which would allow me to overnight. Dr. Nurse agreed, so I went home, showered, shaved, packed a few things and drove back to Woodlands where I met the doctor and told him I had done all of the things listed above and my breathing and oxygen level were OK so I think I’ll be OK at home, but if I felt any further discomfort, I would return to be admitted and he agreed.
On leaving Woodlands, they charged me G$9,500 for use of the emergency room, observation, oxygen, two nebulizations until I stabilized, and the tests they conducted, including the price of the consultations with the doctor. I was going to allow this to pass, but three things made it impossible not to say something. First, the letter written by Ramcharitar condemning Woodlands. Second, I was recently informed that all referrals from the Guyana Public hospitals were going to this same Sheriff group which is building new hospitals in some very choice locations, showing massive Government support.
Third, if the public institutions are referring people to this private hospital group, which in my case was what can only be described as exploitative, then I cannot remain silent and not report this personal experience as the taxes of Guyanese pay for expensive referrals to this organization and will bring the maintenance and operations of the Public Hospitals seriously into question. When exactly will enough be enough?
Just looking at the kind of real estate these people are getting, prompts me to ask who owns this conglomerate and where is our Private Sector Commission?
Sincerely,
Tony Vieira