A woman left the public hospital this evening with a heavy
but relieved heart. Were it not for the Norwegian donors whom the woman is a
beneficiary because she has AIDS, she could have done what others have done
before- wrap her child in some shukas or
risk by the window. Ever wondered why the wards are far away up and soldiers
all over?
Before the sun rose this morning, two children shared a bed
with whom I will call Nata. Nata is a ten year old girl suffering from Anemia.
Her skin has yellowed and her belly protrudes suggesting symptoms of one meal
boredom. I wondered what she looked like ten days ago when she was admitted now
that her mother saw her in her best. One child died around midnight and could
only wait for the sleeping attendant come morning. The second child died with
the coming of the light outside the window. The woman knew who was to die next-
her child.
As I rushed past people waiting for the busy lifts to open to
take the stairs my eyes opened to what awaited to join the lifts- a human being
on a wheel bed. Well, I had no time for my curious eyes because an hour from
thence the bill would mutate. Later on as I was told to pick a receipt from her
and pay over there did I see the dead man on the wheel bed. A visit to the
hospital can be so detrimental to someone whom for long has evaded the pain of
life- sickness. Dead!
The discharging nurse moved by the amount of money paid for
the bare meals and sleepless nights wondered why we lacked the medical insurance
card. The child is as a result of denial mode after her husband died ten years
ago leaving at her care five children. Hers is a face of disappointment putting
into mention the fire that razed her house down, her teenage girl who conceived
and the lack of a home- she lives with friends. And as we parted, promising to
get back to her with prescribed medication (the hospitals do not give) I
wondered what the child would eat as her first meal in the house pitying that
she would be forced to walk some distance for there is no strength in the
mother to carry her.
She was relieved because she was finally going to inhale
fresh air (Is there fresh air in the city?) as if from prison and her child
would not be infected with Tuberculosis because a child was brought in that
very morning to add on the congestion there. Had the doctor not been informed
by one of the parents, the attendant would have caused more harm to the children
in barely a day. It is easy to contradict a disease in a health facility than
it is away- no wonder such hospitals are left for the poor to check on their
conditions and populations.
Is there a thorough book written from the eyes of a satirical
doctor, heath attendant or a patient with a good eye as there is in politics?
Give me the Title(s).
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