“THE POOR STATE OF PUBLIC HOSPITAL”

 

AN ASSIGNMENT ON DESKTOP PUBLISHING (MAC 1203)

 

AN ARITCLE ON TOPIC: “THE POOR STATE OF PUBLIC HOSPITAL”

 

EBONG, ANTHONIA DICKSON

12/MAC/026

DEPARTMENT OF MASS COMMUNICATION

FACULTY OF COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

 

YEAR ONE

THE POOR STATE OF PUBLIC HOSPITAL

The state in which we find our public hospitals leaves much to be desired. The prevailing conditions in these hospitals make them assume the features of graveyards and it is high time something is done to arrest the deplorable situation.

 

SHORTAGES OF DRUGS /LACK OF MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

In nearly every hospital there are shortage of drugs and vital medical equipment such as x-rays and surgical machines. I recall a case in which a friend went to a public hospital with an injured wrist but could not have it x-rayed because the x-ray was out of use. The doctor merely prescribed some injections for him and had his hand bandaged. Days later there was a complication of the injury and his hand was painfully swollen.

 

INSUFFICIENCY BEDS FOR PATIENTS

A common feature in our hospitals is the glaring insufficiency of beds in the wards. As a result some patients bring portable beds for their personal use. Besides, the fewness of beds results in many patients being discharged before they are well enough in order to make room for fresh patients.

NONCHIALANT OF SOME DOCTORS AND NURSES

One of the most disconcerting problems in hospitals is the nonchalance of doctors and nurses. Some doctors spend too little time with their patients, their attitude suggesting that they are rushing to do other things and that they do not care about their patients. Many nurses subject their patient to inhuman taunts and ridicule by shouting at them, mocking them or simply disregarding them. Thus the humanitarian aspect which is an integral part of their profession is objectionably played down. Take for instance the case of a person who was knocked down unconscious by a car and who was bleeding profusely taken to the hospital only for nurse to insist on their getting a police report on the accident before they would attend to the victim! This, no doubt, is incredible, outrageous and preposterous; yet it is a common occurrence. Furthermore, these is wanton favouritism in hospitals and it is very common for numbers of persons who came later and often look healthier to either be called first for consultation or to walk defiantly past helpless and long-suffering patients whose only crime is that they have no intimacy with the doctor.

 

SOME DOCTOR AND NURSES REFER PATIENTS TO THEIR PRIVATE CLINICS.

Some doctors prefer to refer patients to their private clinics where they can charge them large sums of money. In this case the unsuspecting patients are given prescription forms to take to the said clinics and are denied the drugs they should be given at the public hospital. As if this were not enough wickedness, these doctors pilfer drugs in the government hospitals, as do some nurses also, and sell them to their helpless victims.

 

HOSPITAL SURROUNDING ARE UNHYGIENIC

The surroundings of many hospitals are far from hygienic in terms of disposal of sewage and refuse as well as application of disinfectants and germicides. This situations is obviously unfortunate since it forments ground for infections to be caught by unwary patients.

INABILITY OF GOVERNMENT SHOWN SUFFICIENT CONCERN

Most of the problems arising in our hospital are the result of the government’s lukewarm attitude to them or sheer neglect of them. The government should show greater concern for our hospitals as well as for doctors, nurses and para-medical personnel. They should be given adequate remuneration and incentives so that they eschew corrupt practices. Essential drugs and equipment/machinery should be made available for their use so that they can derive the proper job satisfaction they envisage. Doctors and nurses who do not conform should be dismissed and humane ones put in their places. Hospital cleaners should be made to work hard to keep the surrounding clean.