The Editor, Sir:

Recently, I noticed that the University Hospital of The West Indies (UHWI) receive negative publicity in your paper. Whereas it is not my intention to discount the experience of those persons, I wish to highlight the positive experiences my family had with this hospital in December 2007.

Having taken my 82-year-old father to three private doctors over a six-week period, he was referred to the UHWI on his visit to the fourth doctor.

Within a few hours of his admission at the accident and emergency unit he was diagnosed, subject to further tests. Within two days the tests were completed and the preliminary diagnosis confirmed. The surgeon advised that my father have surgery done immediately to save his life.

Gifted hands and hearts

My sister and I are forever grateful to Dr. K. Bonadie who thoroughly explained to us the importance of the surgery being done immediately, procedures and expectations after surgery.

Thank God for the gifted hands and hearts of doctors Omoru and Bonadie. We commend them for being so professional, empathetic, supportive and caring. They made us feel humane, relaxed and welcomed, despite the busy and stressful environment in which they work.

We are indeed impressed with their interaction with us and their patients, and also admire the sense of purpose, care, enthusiasm and joy which radiates from the team each morning and afternoon they visit the ward. They seem to enjoy so much what they do. We also extend our gratitude to the nurses on wards six and seven for their care.

Words cannot express how much we truly appreciate and thank the team (Firm C) for their efforts, and have nothing but praise for this team, which was instrumental in saving and extending my father's life.

Different experience

Our experiences with them are so much unlike the sometimes seemingly distant relationship, marked by business, arrogance, indifference and the sometimes callous attitude displayed by some of our doctors, nurses and caregivers, perhaps as a result of the obvious stress of their job and the environment in which they work, uncooperative patients and demanding and inconsiderate family members.

Surgical Firm C indeed mirrors an exemplary image for the UHWI and the public health sector. We lift our hats to you, Firm C. Jamaica, all is not lost.

There is still hope and confidence in our public health sector.

I am, etc.,

NAOMI JACOBS

jacobsnaomi@yahoo.com