Times Of Swaziland: PUBLIC HEALTHCARE EXPECTATIONS

PUBLIC HEALTHCARE EXPECTATIONS
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Alex Nxumalo on 10/11/2024 08:42:00


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.