Dr. Myrton Smith, Contributor
IN THE Sunday Gleaner of May 28, Herbert Lewis made mention of an unfortunate case of a small boy who has cataracts and is in need of surgery on one of his eyes.
He quotes a cost of $60,000 for the operation but does not indicate what portion of these costs are doctors' fees, hospital fees or the cost of the necessary lens. He also does not state whether the operation is being pursued at a private hospital or a public hospital.
These are all important bits of information that, in fairness, he must present to the public as without it, his comments are nothing more than simple propaganda.
Doctors are not involved in billing public patients at public hospitals. Charges in these institutions are determined and collected by the administrative staff.
UNFAIR
The disposable equipment and supplies used in surgical procedures have to be paid for and reusable equipment has to be maintained. The cost of adjuncts such as drugs and intravenous fluid has to be considered as well.
All Jamaicans have access to public health care at our many public hospitals where the Ministry of Health mandates that no patient must be turned away because of an inability to pay.
Furthermore, all the expertise that is available in the private health sector is also available in the public sector. So, it is unfair to single out doctors as providing an obstacle to any Jamaican obtaining life - limb or eye-saving surgery.
If the patient mentioned by Mr. Lewis is seeking to access the surgery at a private institution at a prohibitive cost, perhaps he should be taken to a public institution.
In truth, there are long waiting lists in the public hospitals caused by inadequate staff, heavy demands on the system because of the large patient loads and a general lack of necessary equipment and supplies.
REVISED OATH
Mr. Lewis makes mention of our oaths. Unfortunately, like many who criticise doctors, I am sure he has read neither the classical nor the revised version of the Hippocratic oath. Neither of these versions makes mention of free service other than to teach the offspring of our medical tutors our art for free - if they desire to learn it.
The overall thrust of the oath is to do no harm, to treat all patients within the scope of our individual ability and to do so with regard to patient confidentiality.
Despite this, many of us give hours of free service, both in the public health facilities and also in a private setting.
I think of all the health fairs and church clinics that are run annually. When 4:00 p. m. arrives and we are still in the process of treating patients in public hospitals, we do not leave.
Who considers the countless hours spent operating on our patients on our 'off duty' nights, just to ensure that the necessary treatment is given - again for no additional payment?
The Medical Association of Jamaica is not responsible for setting rules and regulations for its members, another of the errors committed by Mr. Lewis.
The Medical Council of Jamaica is the body charged with this task. Any doctor charged with unethical or illegal activity should be reported to this body, which will investigate and act against those found guilty.
Mr. Lewis and many others have made reference to the fact that our education was derived from public funding ('from the taxes paid by some of those whom they (we) refuse to treat ...').
The fees of all categories of Jamaican students who attend the University of the West Indies are subsidised by taxpayers' money and by the same percentage.
No one calls on the lawyer, businessman, teacher or economist who received such sponsorship to give their services for free. Yet, we continue to be singled out.
Perhaps Mr. Lewis and other well-meaning Jamaicans who have a problem with the inadequacies in the health sector can take some time to investigate where the problem actually resides and address their concerns appropriately.
Perhaps the Government, which is charged with overall responsibility for providing accessible and affordable health care for all, can be held accountable by our citizens.
Also, well-thinking citizens like Mr. Lewis could make tangible donations from their wealth to the 'little man' so that they too can access health care.
Dr. Myrton Smith is president of the Jamaica Medical Doctors' Association.
