What's up doc?

Noseweek Issue #149, 1st March 2012   


What's up doc?

Hands up if you’re one of those cynics who, when you heard about the proposed National Health Insurance, immediately thought, great: I’m going to be paying even more for something that will be so crap I’ll never be able to use it. Don’t be embarrassed, as this story shows, you’re probably spot on.

Read on to find out how when medics miss the mark, a woman dies and doctors pass the buck.

 

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Submitted by : Don Pearce of Noordhoek on 2012-02-29 17:35:11
More evidence of our poor attitude towards education and PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY?? Certainly evidence of a VERY POOR RESPONSE by the relevant authorities, as well as a question mark as to the Provincial attitude.
 
Submitted by : Howard Klaaste of Port Elizabeth on 2012-02-28 19:28:38
Mark is right. The problem is definitely not unusual. The article unfortunately spells out why things will spiral even more out of control.

Many South African doctors left the building. They either went into private practice, overseas and some changed careers. They had good reason to do so. The health department now s(h)its with a huge staff shortage and are therefore not too stringent with those willing to fill the void. They will have to empty many, many clinics and hospitals if they really want to see superb service.

Patients on the other hand expect to get good treatment and when encouraged to "insist" on having a radiograph done, matters are invited to get worse. Doctors are not there to request x-rays on demand from patients. Chest x-rays are done as a special investigation only after a clinical examination was performed. A sputum analysis is cheaper and 100% diagnostic if the specimen contains the acid fast bacilli. A suspicious CXR should in any case be followed up with sputum tests. This situation may inject a form of reluctance in the caregivers, and it serves no one any good.

The NHI will not work, and the current system will deteriorate, unless a form of accountability is built into the system which will lead to punitive actions to those found to be clearly negligent.
 
Submitted by : Mark Fysh of Pretoria on 2012-02-27 21:06:07
"...allowed to practise without accountability or responsibility because they can hide behind a minister of health..."

I love it. Well done Jenny du Toit and to Noseweek for publishing this shocking (but not unnusual, I am afraid) story.

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