PUBLIC HEALTHCARE EXPECTATIONS

For many of us, deciding to go to an emergency medical facility is a very crucial step that often occurs during difficult times.

This choice usually brings a mixture of hope and anxiety, as patients and their families not only look for just immediate medical help, but also a high level of professional support, comfort and care. In emergencies, these medical facilities serve as a crucial resource, offering vital interventions that can be the difference between life and death. The expectation for quality care is critical in patients seeking medical help. Patients more often than not, arrive in emergency rooms expecting professional and empathetic responses to their urgent health issues.
Many are experiencing pain, anxiety or confusion, which makes it vital for medical staff to handle each case with timely responses, empathy and expertise. In our country Eswatini, the actual situation often contrasts sharply with the above expectations. Seeking medical help specifically in government-owned hospitals has become a nightmare.

Infamously

It is distressing, alarming and deeply sorrowful. Do not deceive yourself: Chances are high that one may not receive the much-needed and anticipated help. Shortage of drugs and other challenges are a reality in government-run hospitals in the country. It has been in existence for as long as some of us can recall. This nation is regrettably and infamously known for its deteriorating healthcare system - a condition that is partially attributed to purported corruption among those in positions of authority, specifically in relation to the procurement of drugs. Many of our people now think twice before seeking medical help in government-owned hospitals.

These hospitals have become as good as a slaughter houses. There are numerous challenges facing the healthcare sector in the country. Medical staff is demotivated due to various factors which include a lack of or inadequate working tools. More often than not, patients are forced to buy crucial meds in pharmacies which cost an arm and a leg. In some instances, crucial medical equipment is often malfunctioning or broken down. When faced with a critical health issue, the last place anyone wants to feel rejected is in a medical care centre. Those moments of acute distress, when our bodies signal an urgent need for help, should be met with compassion and rapid response. Unfortunately, this is not always the case in our country’s public hospitals.

Imagine the overwhelming anxiety of arriving at a hospital, only to be told that they cannot assist you because of some logistical or bureaucratic failure. This could be due to a lack of drugs, blood supplies; malfunctioning surgical facilities or inadequate staffing. It is a nightmare scenario; for example, you are bleeding profusely and need urgent blood transfusion. The clock is ticking; your strength is failing you due to excessive bleeding. Time is against you, you can feel your life gradually ebbing away.  As you desperately anticipate medical intervention, you encounter situations that prevent you from receiving the help you so urgently need.

The only option left for you is to seek assistance elsewhere, a considerable distance away, possibly having to endure a harrowing journey on public transport due to non-availability of ambulances; possibly as a result of some hospital administration bureaucratic fumbling or hurdles, etc. This situation isn’t just unacceptable; it represents one of the most profound failures in human healthcare systems.  Some of the challenges mentioned above are what a number of patients face on an almost daily basis in many of the country’s public healthcare facilities.
The above-mentioned distressing ordeal is what was recently faced by a young 17 year-old mother who sought medical help after experiencing severe bleeding a few days post-caesarean section at a government hospital in the country. The Eswatini News publication last Saturday published the harrowing account of 17- year-old Lulu, who had given birth at Mankayane Hospital and returned there a day or two later for assistance after experiencing bleeding.

Unfortunately, she was unable to receive help because there was no blood available for a transfusion to stabilise her condition. As her health deteriorated, she had no choice but to take public transport (why she wasn’t transported by ambulance to her next destination is as yet unknown) to Raleigh Firkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital, several kilometres away in Manzini.
 Her challenges were not over. Upon her arrival, in a critical state, she was again denied assistance. The doctor allegedly informed her that she required surgery, but shockingly, the operating theatre was not functioning.

It is hard to believe that a major medical facility like RFM could have a non-operational theatre. Put yourself in Lulu’s shoes. How could you have felt as you slowly bled to death right inside the premises of a facility that is supposed to save your life by attending diligently and urgently to your medical emergency? Desperate to save her life as her condition worsened, Lulu had to take another public transport ride to the Government Hospital in Mbabane, 42km away. It is reported that she had received no medication at Mankayane Hospital that would, at least, help ease the excruciating pain she was feeling.

By the time she reached Mbabane Government Hospital - it was too late. She had lost too much blood and tragically passed away.  What a heartbreaking situation! On the surface, the apparent nonchalant attitude displayed by the medical personnel who attended to Lulu at the first two hospitals is appalling. I stand to be corrected though, if the situation was beyond the control of the attending medical personnel. I so much hope any investigation instituted to get to the bottom of this heart-rending ordeal will unearth why Lulu’s case was handled in such an inhumane fashion. If it is found that someone or a group of so-called medical professionals were derelict in their duties, may heads roll? A young, precious life was lost far too soon due to the failures and mismanagement of healthcare facilities in the country.

Implications

The implications of such failures extend beyond just the individual in need of care - they reverberate throughout society. When hospitals are unable to provide adequate services, they create a ripple effect of fear and distrust in public health systems. Patients may hesitate to seek care in future situations, worrying that they may again be turned away - to die.  Consequently, avoidable emergencies become more common, leading to preventable complications and even loss of life. For far too long, the challenges facing patients in our government-owned hospitals have gone on unchallenged. 

It is about time the public said, ‘enough is enough’, and collectively protest about the shoddy treatment received in these medical facilities. Lives have been and continue to be lost while the administration apparently does little or nothing at all to solve the challenges faced by many patients in this country.  One of the primary culprits behind these tragic occurrences is resource allocation. The healthcare sector is one of the most crucial in any country and it is imperative that enough resources be allocated to this sector in order to enable smooth operations.

The populace flood these medical facilities daily, desperately seeking medical help. It is inconceivable for patients to be turned away and not be given the necessary help due to shortage of drugs, lack of supplies like blood transfusions and to be informed that theatres are not functioning as a result of, for example, malfunctioning equipment.  We are not living in medieval times where resources are scarce or nonexistent. For Pete’s sake! This is the 21st century. The health of the nation is paramount. A productive nation is a healthy nation. It is preposterous to seek urgent medical help only to be told you cannot receive it because of drug shortages and other challenges.

Granted, we are cognisant of the fact that pressure on medical professionals during such times cannot be over-stated. Medical staff are expected to be equipped with the tools to conduct their duties seamlessly. Under the prevailing situation, they often work under intense stress and pressure, while they strive to make the best of limited resources; there are moments when they simply cannot meet every need. The emotional toll on healthcare workers should not be overlooked, as they grapple with their limitations in providing care.This is a tragic irony: Those who dedicate their lives to healing may also feel helpless in the face of systemic shortcomings.

Addressing these complex issues requires a multi-faceted approach.  Our government must wake up from its slumber and address the health challenges faced by the nation and medical staff.  The administration has been in a self-induced coma for far too long. It’s time it resuscitates itself and tackle head-on the health challenges engulfing the whole country.  The administration must prioritise investment in healthcare infrastructure, ensuring that hospitals are equipped with the necessary supplies and facilities.

It must root out the alleged corruption in the procurement of drugs. Additionally, emergency preparedness plans should be meticulously crafted and regularly updated. These plans should, for example, include protocols for resource sharing between facilities to prevent any hospital from having to refuse a patient due to lack of supplies.  Lastly, advocating for systemic change isn’t just the responsibility of policymakers.

As a community, we can raise our voices to demand better healthcare practices.  By sharing our experiences and pushing for reforms, we can drive improvements in the healthcare system that ensure everyone receives the timely medical attention they deserve during their most vulnerable moments without any shadow of doubt, the escalating healthcare crisis in our country’s hospitals demands immediate attention. This situation is not merely a statistic; it is a profound humanitarian emergency that affects every liSwati citizen. The alarming reality is that countless lives are at stake due to systemic failures within our healthcare system. Every liSwati citizen who values their health and the welfare of their community must rise up and peacefully protest against the avoidable deaths of patients.

These tragedies are not just numbers on a report; they represent mothers, fathers, children and friends who are losing their lives due to circumstances that could be prevented. The critical lack of medication means that patients are often left without the necessary treatments that could save their lives. Those fortunate enough who can afford to buy prescribed meds in pharmacies have their lives prolonged. Others who cannot afford the high cost of drugs in pharmacies return home empty-handed, bracing themselves for the inevitable - death.  The shortage of critical supplies including blood transfusions like in the tragic case of Lulu, further exacerbates this crisis, leaving those in need of transfusions in a perilous situation. We cannot also afford a situation where hospitals will be faced with malfunctioning equipment. This definitely poses a significant risk to patient care.

When essential medical devices fail, healthcare providers are left with limited options to diagnose and treat patients effectively. This technological inadequacy, combined with insufficient medical staff response, creates a perfect storm where gravely ill individuals are not receiving the timely and appropriate care they desperately need. It is imperative that we, as a community, come together to advocate for change. Our voices must be heard, and our demands for a more robust healthcare system must be clear. We must call for increased funding, better resource allocation and a commitment to ensuring that every hospital is equipped to handle the needs of its patients. We must also robustly call upon the administration to put a halt to the alleged corruption in the procurement of drugs.

Infrastructure

By standing united in peaceful protest, we can shine a light on these critical issues and hold our leaders accountable. We must demand that our government prioritises healthcare reform and invest in the infrastructure necessary to support the health and well-being of all citizens. Together, we can work towards a future where no one has to suffer - or die - due to a lack of resources, and where every individual has access to the quality healthcare they deserve. The urgency for immediate action regarding health challenges in this beautiful kingdom cannot be over-emphasised, highlighting the importance of collective effort for both individual and community well-being.

The call to rise signifies a proactive approach to addressing health concerns, suggesting that timely intervention is crucial for positive outcomes. This message underscores the interconnectedness of personal health and community health, advocating for a unified response to health challenges. Peace! Shalom! Wishing you all a happy weekend and week ahead.

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