Saving Lives or Saving Business

Yesterday, I had to see some doctors again to interpret the laboratory and medical exam results done to me last week. I arrived at the clinic at 11AM then got out at 3PM. Whew!!!

While silently seated in one corner, one patient came in and the noise started. He kept talking to the secretary and for a while I thought he was mentally ill. He shared everything and anything he could speak of including why he kept coming back to his doctors. One doctor advised him to eat only seafood, but he said he cannot resist eating pork! He sounded like a very happy guy and was not affected by his health issues.

After his time with the doctor, he was immediately recommended for admission. Still, he was just cool about it. When he and his partner left, one patient asked how old he was. The secretary answered he was still young but just looked old after going through so many ailments. He underwent heart bypass and angioplasty and other major operations already. So, the secretary and that patient became friends because he sees that doctor EVERY WEEK for proper monitoring. Apparently, he was a stubborn patient, but his disposition is just to enjoy life. After all, the secretary said, he was moneyed.

Mentioning the topic on “money”, another patient opened about the trending post about Davao Doctors Hospital (DDH), where a netizen aired his sentiments about how they were treated badly when he rushed his brother DDH’s Emergency Station.

Davao Doctors Hospital is the most advanced hospital in Davao City. As expected, it is also the most expensive private hospital in town. As we moved to this city in 2004, Davao Doctors Hospital has been our go-to hospital for 3 reasons. 1st, by recommendation. 2nd, because of its proximity to our residence and 3rd, because I was made to believe that it has the best doctors in town.

Every time a family member or a relative is sick, DDH is the place to be! I can relate to this netizen who talked about DDH’s heartless assistance to him and his family because his brother’s and my nephew’s case was so identical:

1. Both patients had seizures when presented to the Emergency Station.

2. Both were immediately recommended to be admitted to ICU.

3. Both were refused when they were seen as having delays in payment.

4. Both were overcharged upon release.

It was a horrible experience! I cannot help but think that DDH’s customer service is patterned! Imagine, the netizen’s brother died in the hospital within 24 hrs yet they were still treated inhumanely. They were charged with items and services they did not avail. My nephew stayed in the hospital in the ICU for 3 months yet was refused when we were having delays in payment already.

After this incident, my family and I do not admit anyone in DDH anymore in case of illnesses as we realized the following:

• Not all doctors have a heart for their patients. In fact, they are trained not to be attached to their patients.

• Not all hospitals are owned and operated by doctors. Some are owned and operated by affluent businessmen.

• Many doctors do not really take their OATH (“To save lives”) seriously. They treat patients because it is their profession, not out of passion.

• Hospitals are not humanitarian institutions; they are business investments.

So, when you guys go to a hospital, do not expect to be treated because of urgency. You will be treated depending on your capacity to pay.

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