Private hospitals in the large cities of Mexico provide care comparable to facilities in the United States at a fraction of the cost. In fact, medical tourism is a big business down here; visitors from the U.S. can receive first rate health care at an affordable price. However, listening to the horror stories from Alejandro and his sister, I am learning that it is a far different story if you rely on the public hospitals of the Mexican Social Security system.
At first I thought it odd that Alejandro and his sister were taking turns going to the hospital and spending twenty four hours a day with their mother. I just chalked it up to the importance of family in Mexican culture. Now I realize it is because of the atrocious level of care in the public hospitals.
Within a few days of her admittance, while she was still unconscious, Alejandro's mother had developed a bedsore because the staff had not removed a urine soaked diaper. You know darn well that in the U.S. such negligence would result in a big lawsuit. Not only that, but Alejandro and his sister have been the ones moving her regularly so that she doesn't more sores. Other than taking her vital signs, the nurses do virtually nothing.
The hospital has been very cold. Temperatures here in Mexico City have been going down to freezing at night, and buildings do not have central heating. The patients have nothing but a thin blanket. Family members are not allowed to bring any blankets or warm clothing in for the patient.
It is a nightmare, and I hope that Alejandro's mom is soon released.
Those poor dear people. Why?
ReplyDeleteI don't know if the staff is overworked, or simply uncaring, or a combination of the two... but the level of care is definitely unacceptable
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