By Tilly Davies
My brother-in-law Charles needs to go for a hernia operation.
We had a family get together a couple of days ago and Charles explained the state of his health in flowery detail. I must admit I was listening but not hearing all the detail as I was enjoying the winter sun on my skin.
But then Charles said something that caught my attention and for days now I have been wondering about his observation.
Charles, now at a ripe age of 67, explained that he miss the ‘old’ days and going to hospital. In those days, according to him, walking into a hospital reminded him of complete cleanliness. The smell of cleaning detergent and disinfectants with signs all over indicating wet floors. It was an environment filled with the reinsurance that you will be nurtured back to health
Hospitals used to smell clean and healthy!
Nowadays, Charles explained, hospitals looks like financial institutions. When you walk in you only see signs of where to pay. When you sit in cold waiting rooms or lie in your bed you will sure find a sign stating the medical aid policies and whether you will be responsible for the payment or not. Before the medical personnel start any procedure you can rest assure that somebody will explain the payment options first!
Hospitals today smell like money!
Thinking about it, remembering my own brief visits to hospitals recently I must admit that Charles’s observation is correct.
So, I wonder, if it is all about money; who then is looking after my health? Where do I find the compassion and assurance that somebody is looking after me and my well being?
