ඇත්තටම ගොඩක් සතුටුයි.!! (උපුටා ගැනීමක්)
Seeing my doctor in London:
I had to wake up early morning to grab the phone and press the calling button exactly by 8.am. Hundred other desperate patients too do the same thing at the same time. Today morning I had to dial 87 times, just to get connected to a recorded feeble voice of a lady, probably 75 years old. Then following the recorded instructions, I pressed few numbers and fell into a long 'call waiting list'...
My call was 6th in the line to be answered. Holding the phone for another 20 minutes, finally I heard a posh London accent, who first asked my date of birth to avoid mispronouncing my name (these 'Suddas' find it extremely difficult to pronounce my kind of names)..
Irrespective of all those highly complicated privacy policies and confidentiality, I was forced to explain my illness to the receptionist. If not, I won't get an appointment. Then she decides whether I am an 'eligible patient' to see a doctor.
Then in a panicked voice (like a stock broker) she said "now quickly tell me, are you available at ......? And that's the last appointment we have. Tell me before someone else jump in ."
I was left without an option and had no time to think or plan my other daily work. Word "yes" slipped off my tongue, fearing I have to repeat the same process again in another day.
There are 8 doctors in the clinic we are registered to. I hardly see the same doctor twice for the same sickness. The reason is, I have to wait a week or two until the same doctor appears again. By then, I may have turned better by swallowing all sorts of pain killers and vitamins, or turned into a chronically sick person...
Now, I am not even bothered to ask the name of the doctor. As long as she/he has that title 'Dr' in front of the name, I go and explain my pains within the strict 'TEN MINUTES' appointment.
If doctor recommends a blood or any other test, Ah, that means you got to stay for another week or two (if you are working full time) to go and discuss the reports. In the meantime, you will be given a huge bundle of printed papers to read and know your sickness well. Bless you, if you are an illiterate person!
This entire process may take months or years.
Migrants who are lured by hefty salaries and luxuries of a developed country, never 'drops a word' against these cumbersome procedures. Or never open the mouth to appreciate the health services in underdeveloped countries like Sri Lanka. (Original UK natives don't know of another system to compare theirs with. Therefore, let's not talk about them ).
I accept the fact that Sri Lankan doctors bombards the patient with heaps of antibiotics, but the 'speed' they diagnose an illness is truly remarkable! The best part is, Sri Lankans do have easy access to doctors and other health services. Nobody bothers about the health insurance or how serious is the patient when admitting him/her to the hospital. Doctors quickly spot the sickness and treat it. Tea breaks, strict time schedules, fancy holidays are not in their vocabulary. Because, Sri Lanka is still too poor to afford such 'Sudda type' docs.
All they do is a huge service by treating any sick human being. They may not have labour rights, but they do have the satisfaction of curing someone helpless.
A recent report revealed that the UK has one of the slowest health services, when it comes to diagnosing a sickness. Many have died (especially the elderly people) during the waiting time for tests and treatments.
I am not an expert to suggest solutions to improve the health services. But as an ordinary citizen, all I say is "What's the point of rising materialism to flourish in the developed countries category, when you have a bunch of sick, frustrated bummers who hide knives, machetes in boots & coats to steer away from their insecurities."
-Dahami Ranaweera-
Seeing my doctor in London:
I had to wake up early morning to grab the phone and press the calling button exactly by 8.am. Hundred other desperate patients too do the same thing at the same time. Today morning I had to dial 87 times, just to get connected to a recorded feeble voice of a lady, probably 75 years old. Then following the recorded instructions, I pressed few numbers and fell into a long 'call waiting list'...
My call was 6th in the line to be answered. Holding the phone for another 20 minutes, finally I heard a posh London accent, who first asked my date of birth to avoid mispronouncing my name (these 'Suddas' find it extremely difficult to pronounce my kind of names)..
Irrespective of all those highly complicated privacy policies and confidentiality, I was forced to explain my illness to the receptionist. If not, I won't get an appointment. Then she decides whether I am an 'eligible patient' to see a doctor.
Then in a panicked voice (like a stock broker) she said "now quickly tell me, are you available at ......? And that's the last appointment we have. Tell me before someone else jump in ."
I was left without an option and had no time to think or plan my other daily work. Word "yes" slipped off my tongue, fearing I have to repeat the same process again in another day.
There are 8 doctors in the clinic we are registered to. I hardly see the same doctor twice for the same sickness. The reason is, I have to wait a week or two until the same doctor appears again. By then, I may have turned better by swallowing all sorts of pain killers and vitamins, or turned into a chronically sick person...
Now, I am not even bothered to ask the name of the doctor. As long as she/he has that title 'Dr' in front of the name, I go and explain my pains within the strict 'TEN MINUTES' appointment.
If doctor recommends a blood or any other test, Ah, that means you got to stay for another week or two (if you are working full time) to go and discuss the reports. In the meantime, you will be given a huge bundle of printed papers to read and know your sickness well. Bless you, if you are an illiterate person!
This entire process may take months or years.
Migrants who are lured by hefty salaries and luxuries of a developed country, never 'drops a word' against these cumbersome procedures. Or never open the mouth to appreciate the health services in underdeveloped countries like Sri Lanka. (Original UK natives don't know of another system to compare theirs with. Therefore, let's not talk about them ).
I accept the fact that Sri Lankan doctors bombards the patient with heaps of antibiotics, but the 'speed' they diagnose an illness is truly remarkable! The best part is, Sri Lankans do have easy access to doctors and other health services. Nobody bothers about the health insurance or how serious is the patient when admitting him/her to the hospital. Doctors quickly spot the sickness and treat it. Tea breaks, strict time schedules, fancy holidays are not in their vocabulary. Because, Sri Lanka is still too poor to afford such 'Sudda type' docs.
All they do is a huge service by treating any sick human being. They may not have labour rights, but they do have the satisfaction of curing someone helpless.
A recent report revealed that the UK has one of the slowest health services, when it comes to diagnosing a sickness. Many have died (especially the elderly people) during the waiting time for tests and treatments.
I am not an expert to suggest solutions to improve the health services. But as an ordinary citizen, all I say is "What's the point of rising materialism to flourish in the developed countries category, when you have a bunch of sick, frustrated bummers who hide knives, machetes in boots & coats to steer away from their insecurities."
-Dahami Ranaweera-
