The population of South Africa is estimated to be 65,5 million this year. Similar population no's are United Kingdom - 67 million; France - 65 million; Italy 59 million.
Unemployment % in S.A. is 43.7% and rising 1.3% per quarter. In numbers - 345 000 people are losing their jobs or employment drops by 345 000 every 3 months. Thats roughly 3833 jobs per day. Just for a comparison - the UK's unemployment rate is 4.9%. Now this is a rabbit hole that one could disappear down. But I would like to tell a story of hope, spirit and resolve instead.
SA Medical students spend six years getting their degree at University, they then do 2 years Internship in public hospitals. Then they serve a year doing community service, also at a government hospital. 9 Years in total.
If you have a heart attack and end up a private hospital, they will charge you a minimum of R30 000 ($1815) just to shock your heart back into rhythm. It will be calm, organised and fairly brief. You will have to be referred to a specialist in one of the major cities - where there is a waiting list of 3 months and will cost in the region of R2000 - R3000 ($120 - $180). Now in SA there is a thing called Medical Aid, but they never pay fully, so you to have Top-Up policies or vast cash reserves.
Now remember a little less than half the population is out of work, the other half are desperately trying not to have heart attacks or lose their jobs. So the majority of people are having to revert to Plan B.
Plan B is a government hospital. Which entails a 4AM arrival to join the clinic queue. A number to get a file started. Then the queue to get the file. Another queue to get a number to get your vitals taken. Then another queue to see a doctor who will refer you to the heart clinic. Thats day one. The heart clinic is only on Mondays, so another early morning to get a good number to see another doctor who will sort you out or in the case of a dodgy heart, they (the doctors who are straight out of medical school doing their community service) will gather and discuss - then a more experienced doctor will see you and believe it or not will do an incredibly detailed work up - all the tests - ECG - ECO - Bloods - history - everything. A medicine regimen and an appointment card with a date for the next appointment. Time spent with the Fellow or Professor - unlimited. He may have dealt with three or four patients files at a time while sitting with you and sometimes there were consultations taken at the reception desk, but all questions got asked and answered, a future outlook, a plan - short and long term. The feeling of resolve was tangible - here was someone who knew everything that you were going through - what to do if and when - anything happened. Tweaked the medicine slightly after asking countless questions. Created a stable human being who was able to take responsibility for their health above and beyond this heart issue.
Now the countless times I went to the hospital and the number in my hand that read in the hundreds sometimes. Here was a department of a handfull of good souls that gave hope and confidence for simple survival. This feeling of relief or understanding was never even in any mirror or consideration when I was under private care. There, I truly - only ever felt like a number. My humblest thanks and blessings to those special folks.
