Dear Editor,
Several months ago we read about a Lethem woman, Thelma Ribeiro, being unconscious after having a surgery to remove gallstones. At the time of those revelations the Minister of Public Health denied knowledge of the issue, however, he assured that he would look into Rebeiro’s condition and determine what assistance could be rendered, but would not give a commitment until all the details were available to the ministry. It seems as though after all these months he still has not received all the details, as the mother is still due to get care and medical attention.
It has been about six months since the surgery and the patient is still to regain consciousness. She is currently at the Lethem hospital being cared for by her relatives, who have accepted that she may never regain consciousness. Editor, what troubles me is the manner in which this patient is left to the mercies of God. It troubles me that a patient can be in a hospital where there are nurses and doctors who swore to care for the sick and that this patient is not receiving the attention and care needed for her wellbeing. Can you imagine that they had even proposed discharging her so that the family could take her home, but the family was opposed to this as they would not be able to care for her properly because they do not have the necessary equipment. The patient is from the village of Shulinab which is about 35 miles from Lethem.
One can understand that relatives play an important in the healing of patients, and I have seen some progress in this particular case; however there are aspects of the care of patients that are beyond the abilities of relatives and must be done by nurses or doctors who are trained. The relatives appreciate that she was transferred to the region where they can support her care and healing. However, why is she not being afforded professional care?
On two occasions last week I visited Ms Ribeiro at the Lethem hospital and found that it was her relatives who were caring for her; I am sure it is because of them that she still holds on to this day. She has a very large bedsore in her lumbar region which had developed while she was a patient at the GPHC. Currently the sore is improving and has to be dressed daily by the relatives; if this is not done she is left until the next time they come. There were even instances when relatives found her in soiled pampers.
After the gallstones were removed at GPHC the patient also had a tracheostomy done to assist with her breathing; currently it spews fluids which are beginning to smell bad, possibly pointing to some sort of infection. Additionally she seems to be developing candiasis in the mouth. I am not a doctor but I know that these can be treated with simple regimens which I am sure the hospital has; after all, there were photographs in the press showing drugs were being delivered. Why therefore isn’t she being provided with any medication? She may not be conscious but she has life; she has held on for six months already and we should not yet give up on her. From the last time I saw her at the GPHC she is more responsive as she blinks her eyes more and moves her foot when pinched, even moving her head from side to side. While in general her responsiveness has improved it is just that now she seems to be developing other infections. It is the relatives who have to suction the fluids through the stomach; thankfully they have the use of the hospital’s machine to do it.
What has happened to our humanity? How can we see another human being left in this way? When will the health care system deliver proper care for our citizens? Don’t we have any dignity left in us to at least offer her the best care we can until she goes? Don’t we value the lives of those around us? What will it take to get the attention of the relevant authorities? Are we going to continue to accept sub-standard services from those who are being paid by our tax dollars?
Yours faithfully,
Michael McGarrell
