Comments on Just Up The Dose: Whose Hospital Is It, Anyway?

I have to agree. I am not going to lie, I think th...

2006-10-24T20:49:00.000+02:00

I have to agree. I am not going to lie, I think the fact that we expect humans to have their health needs attended to in disgusting locations is not appropriate at all.
BUT, while the government isn't perfect, communities need to take responsibility for the facilities that are available. I have seen many folk take full advantage of government facilities, not to mention university-educated folk litter - there is just no justification.
The government needs to improve services across the spectrum, but the public needs to do their bit to ensure taht things don't get worse than they are.

I can name a specific private hospital in Pretoria...

2006-10-17T18:01:00.000+02:00

I can name a specific private hospital in Pretoria which is damn right filthy. This is from experience, on more than one occasion. The doctors are terrific - it's the supporting staff that needs to 'clean up' its act.

Yeah, I'm also guilty of watefulness in the lab. I probably go through about 4 pairs of latex gloves a day, and litres of distilled water like it's going out of fashion. The problem is that we bought boxes of the cheapest latex gloves known to man - they perish as you snap them on. Whereas a pair of nitrile gloves are much more expensive, but lasts a very long time and can be rinsed with water, ethanol or RNase Away without becoming tacky. But does anyone ever listen to me?

I good point that probably get overlook by everyon...

2006-10-16T16:43:00.000+02:00

I good point that probably get overlook by everyone who takes it for granted.

As a teacher, I know exactly of what you speak. W...

2006-10-16T15:06:00.000+02:00

As a teacher, I know exactly of what you speak. We are constantly being told that there is no budget for social workers and other much needed things, yet I see, and know that if you put teachers in charge of thier budget and let them spend any excess, we would be a lot more efficient. I see doors left open in winter, multiple copies that could be put baqck to back, and other sensless wastes that go on because the person commiting the offense is not charged or financially responsible for it's amelioration or solution. Sorry for the long ranting comment!

It seems to be a part of the South African mentali...

2006-10-16T08:55:00.000+02:00

It seems to be a part of the South African mentality that if things don't go your way, you just trash the place.

The irnony there is that often the people who vandalise are exempt from taxes, and those of us who do pay taxes make use of private health, private security, private education...

But that's still no excuse, I suppose. Health should be given a larger budget, and everyone needs to get involved.

I remember when I went to McCords Hospital in Durban to go visit my mom's friend's mom. It was the first time I had been to visit someone in a public hospital, and I was absolutely disgusted. Aunty Clara had just had a stroke, and she was in a bed in the corridor with everyone walking past her and hundreds of other patients in beds next to her.

I realise now that this hospital is quite the high end of the public spectrum... and that's frightening.

it's good to hear another side of the story. must...

2006-10-16T07:40:00.000+02:00

it's good to hear another side of the story. must say i was quite impressed when i visited the hospital between where i live and the north of the city (trying my best to be cryptic here, karen!) - it was much cleaner and well-equipped than i'd expected it would be.