Fortunately, this topic has been a very concerning one for me. I've spent some considerable time and moments in my life to understand why such even happens, knowing the value of human life. When I first heard of something like this many years back; that's the case of a patient not receiving medical treatment because money was yet to be deposited, it sounded untrue and something unreal to me.
It certainly baffled me, not because of anything but because this was human life at stake. Honestly, I couldn't and still can't find a very good rationale behind such. At best, we could say that some patients fail to pay their bills at the end of treatment and possibly find ways to evade without doing so. Or maybe they get restricted to the hospital until they can no longer be tolerated so they are made to go.
I heard the story of a man who took his pregnant wife to the hospital for delivery, after which he left the hospital without returning. The wife was kept back till they could no longer keep her so they had to let her go. It was clear he had no money to settle the bills. Maybe, we can say this makes up a major reason hospitals do the ‘bills first before treatment’ policy. But then, we're talking about human life here, there should be a better way to go about this.
For reasons in like manner or not, people shouldn't be deprived of medical treatment because of money yet to be paid. The reason why this is such an intriguing matter is that a human life is involved. Human life is the most valuable thing, so I understand why an issue like this is a big trigger and unjustifiable in many ways. Considering that doctors took the Hippocratic oath to preserve lives at all costs, it beckons, why then does this happen?
No life should be lost on this premise. I don't know how it happens in other countries with more advanced health systems, but I don't think this is the norm for the majority of the world. There's something known as health insurance that helps arrest these issues. But then, not all people have the privilege of this insurance. Consequently then leaving the big question, what can be done about this issue?
First of all, this is a case of a failed health system, not health workers. It reflects the failure of one of the most important sectors. Healthcare should reach a point of importance that it's free or at least subsidised to a level, for all and sundry to enjoy it. In its absence, strategic measures can be set in place to ensure whoever comes to receive medical attention pays in the end, and not outrightly refuse them treatment because there's no payment yet.
Perhaps, some healthcare providers are doing this on orders, especially when working in a setting where there's this established rule. But I think conscience should speak. I understand how demanding health work can be and how underpaid and unrewarded health personnel are, with evidence of strikes that we even see. I duly appreciate and respect them and their work. However, for the sake of humanity and the oath they swore, this can be handled better.
