THE SHAMBLES THEY CALL HOSPITAL: A CRY FOR URGENT CHANGE"

Lois Grant

In a heart-wrenching account, a patient shared her harrowing experience within the walls of the Spanish Town hospital. She described it as a living hell, characterized by the crassness and crudeness of the staff that instilled fear in her when seeking assistance. Her pleas for a basic bedpan went unanswered for hours, leaving her in tears and feeling utterly helpless.

During a visit to that Hospital, I left with a resolute realization: when my time comes, I yearn for a peaceful passing in my own bed, preserving my dignity. 

As a diabetic patient, my family member expressed anguish over being served inappropriate food choices like white rice, white bread, and dumplings, despite knowing they were detrimental to her health. Shockingly, her sugar levels were never tested, but fortunately, she possessed her own glucose testing kit. On one occasion, she discovered her sugar had plummeted dangerously low, only finding solace in a ripe banana she had nearby, which she hastily consumed.

Curiously, the ward houses both men and women, segregated with men in the front and women further down. Is this a new norm in hospital settings? But more disconcerting was the revelation that the hospital lacked even the most basic supplies, like a simple bedpan. When questioned about this deficiency, the attendant nonchalantly admitted, "We don't have any." Consequently, I had to endure a difficult journey to the restroom, with my relative aided by a walker on wheels. Patients are forced to bring their own toilet paper but going to the toilet we had forgotten the soap, assuming that at the very least, the bathroom facilities would be adequately equipped with soap or sanitizers. Sadly, the reality was quite the opposite— dingy showers and items that had long surpassed their usefulness had taken up the space of one of the showers. The toilet lacked a seat, and the washbasin lacked soap.

While waiting for the nurse to dress my cousin's wound, I sought solace in the fresh air outside. To my dismay, I witnessed a patient being wheeled into one of the tents situated in complete darkness. The conditions within the tent were unimaginable, a sweltering heat must be adding to the already dire circumstances as I saw nothing but darkness and we are talking about 1:00 pm.

These experiences lay bare the undeniable evidence of a broken system. Additionally, the need for security guards to undergo proper training, and treat visitors with respect rather than as mere animals, cannot be ignored. The lack of customer service permeates every aspect of the hospital environment. The question that lingers is how can we address and rectify this pressing issue?

The time for change is now. The hospital system must be revamped to prioritize patient well-being, dignity, and access to basic necessities. This account serves as a rallying cry for urgent action, demanding a healthcare system that truly values and cares for its patients.

Written by Lois Grant

Editor's Note:

Ms Lois Grant - JP, MA, BA.(Hons) Dip Mass Comm, Cert. Broadcast Journalism BBC-London. Lois Grant's involvement in the communications and creative industry began in the newsroom at the now-defunct Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC). She then went on to head the Public Relations unit, at the now-defunct Grimax Advertising. From there, Grant went into partnership with the creation of the Promotions/Production agency.. Innercity Promotions. Innercity was responsible for the creation of the live dance hall series of concerts at the Harbour View and New Kingston Drive-in cinemas... the firsts in the history of entertainment in Jamaica. At the start of the '90s, Grant formed her own agency under the banner, Corporate Image Communications and Productions. She stood out as a trailblazer in developing several innovative events as well as programmes for corporate brands such as Tastee Limited, Jamaica National Building Society, City of Kingston Cooperative Credit Union, and various government agencies. Looking back Grant notes that she has played her role in changing the political landscape of three Caribbean islands, including Jamaica. Her last assignment before taking early retirement saw her as the Director of Communications in the Office of the Prime Minister of Jamaica from 2007 - early 2013.

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