Doctors, demigods or shrewd businessmen

THE EDITOR: After visiting the emergency department at a private hospital in the East I feel compelled to write your newspaper and educate the population about the unscrupulous nature of some of the doctors in this country.

I am a Nemcare card holder who contracted Conjunctivitis (Red Eye). After three days of pain and discomfort, I decided to visit that hospital for treatment, as they are one of the health care providers under the plan. I was examined by the general practitioner on duty in the emergency department that morning, who diagnosed my condition as “Red Eye.” The visit then became quite disturbing when he told me that he would be referring me to his colleague who is an ophthalmologist. I then asked if this would be an added cost to me or if he was calling his colleague to see me there. He then advised that I would have to visit his private office two buildings away.

I then asked the doctor if he would not be prescribing any medication for my condition and I informed him that I had not been to my place of employment since Friday of the previous week. He blatantly responded, “No,  you have to visit the said associate if you want to get a prescription or the medical certificate.”  I complained to this doctor that I could not pay any more money. He became very upset and disgruntled. He said, “Nemcare is paying most of the cost and I would not be able to prescribe any medication, you must visit the ophthalmologist.” He also rudely informed me that if I could not afford it then I would have to return home and wait for my symptoms to clear up, but he definitely would not be treating my condition. The PRO for the hospital tried to assist and asked the doctor to prescribe the medicated eye drops and then prepare the medical sick leave certificate but he refused. This doctor being a qualified general practitioner is more than capable of treating Red Eye, which is quite contagious, infectious and painful. I later visited another general practitioner who is also a Nemcare provider who treated my “Red Eye” condition. She prescribed Naphcon and Terramycin and seven (7) days sick leave without any mention of needing to visit an eye specialist.

I have since received a lot of relief from the pain and redness in my eyes, but the pain and humiliation I suffered at that institution remains etched on my mind and heart. The Minister of Health should look into the operation of these private institutions. However, if your basic health care in this country that we pay taxes for were totally functional I would not have to be subjected to these doctors who in their subconscious believe that they are demigods and some are adding to their portfolio and becoming shrewd businessmen. What is this country coming to? I am not left to ponder why I was treated in that manner. Whether it was my race, complexion, my profession, my manner of dress or the fact that I am a member of a medical insurance plan that both myself and the insurance company should be taken advantage of? Because I did pay my hard earned cash for a service and received nothing that is no relief in return. Maybe a Cuban doctor would have treated me?

SHELLY ANN BESSON
Trincity