Only for the rich??

It appears that these days, a fat wallet is a prerequisite for getting good medical attention.

IF you’re uninsured and have minimal savings, you better pray hard you stay healthy for the rest of your life. This is because if you’re not financially well-buffered and suffer a serious ailment like cancer or a stroke, turning to the public sector for help may be a very depressing affair.

For illnesses that are less life-changing, waiting to see the doctor is more of an inconvenience. We have heard of the never-ending queues for patients seeking outpatient treatment for fever, migraines, spurs, hypertension or a fractured leg, among many others. Yes, there is torture, especially when one is experiencing real discomfort and pain. But what is worse is when a patient is diagnosed with an advanced-stage disease, and treatment is only available six months down the road due to a long waiting list.

Not only does the patient feel real physical pain, he also experiences fear and hopelessness because he has no financial muscle to improve the situation.

Meanwhile, due to the nature of public hospitals, doctors are often unfamiliar with the medical history of the patient, and this can sometimes lead to ineffective treatment.