Monday, January 11, 2010

The " Sorry" business of Hospitals

Spending the last few days in a hospital has made me allergic to it. Not because of the peculiar smell or the sight of sick people, but because of the transformation of private hospitals into money minting machines. The govt ones have a different set of problems. Their standard of treatment has seen a downward spiral.
I am writing this on basis of my experience with both. I have worked with a government hospital earlier while my brother was recently admitted to a private one.

A single room would cost Rs 4500 + taxes per day, sounds like a hotel room, doesn’t it? They vouch for providing facilities such as a television, a spacious room with an extra couch and a luxurious bathroom with shower, tasty food and house cleaning 4 times a day. Apart from food and housecleaning, a person who is sick and probably in too much pain wouldn’t really care for a TV, a spacious room or a personal bath.

My dad wanted the best treatment for my brother and he didn't bother shelling out thousands of bucks for the same. But what about people who earn Rs 20,000 per month or even less, those who can’t afford a double room (Rs 2800 + taxes per day with no TV and a shared bathroom) , let alone a single room.

 Ironically there is a maternity hospital in Delhi whose rooms are named as following: Maharaja Suite, Royal room, Economy room priced Rs 6000, Rs 4500 and Rs 3500 respectively.

Yes I understand, government hospitals are ‘the’ option and the last resort for those who aren't as fortunate as we are. But the post op care and hygiene measures are not up to the mark. Most of the times, there is no room for new patients to be admitted.

Having worked in a dental hospital during college days, I know how desperate the situation becomes. It was mandatory for the patients to undergo a general oral check up, along with X-rays, even if it was an emergency case. Then after almost 30-40 minutes they were given a card with all the clinical symptoms and treatment plan written. He then used to proceed to the concerned clinic for getting the treatment done, where he would have to wait for hours and hours.

Few days back I joined a hospital and was working under the guidance of a dentist. He always insisted that we suggest a lengthy treatment plan to a rich patient and a single seating treatment plan to a poor one. After a week I left the clinic because in the end I realised I am not cut out to be in this business.

I feel bad and sorry that doctors who run these big private hospitals forget the oath they take and become so money minded. Instead of caring about patient's health they focus more on their bank balance.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

A story from my childhood!!!




When I was a kid my mom used to tell me this story of an emperor.

He was a big snob and cared just about his clothes and nothing else. Once, two craftsmen arrived in his court. They claimed they could weave a cloth that would be extraordinary. It would be invisible to anyone who was “unwise and stupid”. The Emperor thought it was a great chance to spot unwise and reckless people in his court.

The King ordered the cloth to be made at once. After a few days, the King got restless and went with his ministers to see the garment. As he reached the workshop, the craftsmen showed him a hanger stating that the cloth is ready and the King can go ahead and try.


The King, on the other hand, was thoroughly puzzled. He could not spot the garment and thought “I can’t see anything!! Am I a fool and not fit to be an Emperor?” To save himself from the embarrassment he praised the cloth and went ga-ga over its beauty.


His entourage were as surprised as the King but exclaimed “Ahh its beautiful!!!”. As the news spread about the magnificent cloth, the King was advised to wear the same in the next court session.


The craftsmen on the night before were given bags of gold and they left after dressing the king in the new garment. The King went to the court without clothes on and people applauded.


Suddenly, a child from the crowd said “But he isn’t wearing anything”. Everyone began to whisper that a child had the courage to say what they couldn’t. They all started shouting then and made fun of the king. The King who was appalled by his own foolishness went on with the rest of the session without the clothes on.

I used to laugh at the Emperor as a kid but failed to see a deeper meaning. It will never serve a purpose if we try to fit in other people's shoes. Always choose to stand against what is wrong. Of course it is easier said than done. But we build our own fears, and speaking the truth is one of them.

I insist we face facts, speak truth and be aware. It is better to have no views than blindly following someone else's vision.

Also, never go out wearing nothing coz you won’t be able to stop the wagging tongues: P

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Funny story this !!

“Hey ! I missed you”. Oh fuck ! not again, I hadn’t even finished buttoning up my shirt.


"Stop right there. I’ll give you the sex later, I promise, but first let’s talk about me. Yes you are allowed to call me a self obsessed pig. Infact I want you to. The truth is I don’t want to charm you with fancy words coz frankly I don’t know any. Rather I’ll give you a story so simple, so neat and yet you’ll feel drunk when I’m finished. It always hits you hard when it’s neat, doesn’t it."

....I hadn’t even finished buttoning up my shirt. The night had been a blur to me. Hell ! I didn’t even know if it was night or day. How long was I out ? Was I drugged? Where was I anyways? Vegas or was I still in Paris. Well neither. It had to be someone’s home, the drapes were way too nice, the silk felt soft on my skin. And I could afford neither of those. And yet there was this girl lying on the bed, her head resting comfortably on the pillow, a soft satisfied smile on her face. I had smiled back politely and wondered if I was the reason . And yet no recollection. I didn’t even remember her name. I am usually not this bad, I tell you I’m being framed here.

Pondering, I stood up to freshen myself . Thud! And then everything blacked out.

Everyone has to pay their bills right? So how am I any different. Infact I do way better than most of them .But he’ll be home by now waiting for my call. I had to hurry. I looked around the bar, and sure, there he was. He fit the bill. But he looked too sweet and too drunk to be screwed over like that. Hell ! it would be fun.

Why isn’t she picking up. We left the bar at the same time. He worried about her. It had only been four dates and yet...

They got out of the cab. What the fuck ! The guy is a pig, she thought. He was sweaty for some odd reason. His heartbeat was slow. The cab driver helped her take him to the apartment. Damn ! Why couldn’t she leave him out on the curb. Maybe he’ll come around she thought. He never did for the next three hours.

Was he still conscious? Common don’t you die on me, she thought. She changed his clothing, rubbed his feet, gave him the comfort of her bed, the same bed she rarely slept alone on. She even prayed. Slowly his breathing returned to normal. Thank God. Now she could lie down. Her day had been very tiring.

She could hear him moving. It was the wee hours of the morning. He was up. He looked at her and she smiled, relieved and he smiled back, confused. He was okay after all. Meanwhile her cellphone rang for the nth time since night. She answered. “Hey I missed you”, she said.

Oh fuck ! not again, I hadn’t even finished buttoning up my shirt. Pondering, I stood up to freshen myself . Thud! I was still very drunk I realized and crashed into the bedside lamp. Everything blacked out.

"Sorry no sex in this one. I lied. What can you do. I had to entice you in believing that there was some, else why wud you still be reading. Call me a pig. Infact I want you to. "

By

Himanshu Saxena!! ( if you want to call him a pig..please do..:P)