Pinoy Blog Machine (Beta)

Lately I’ve been featuring articles written by my fellow doctors regarding the current healthcare status of our country.  And yes, we’ve received both positive and negative comments about the views presented by these doctors.  But that’s the purpose of the whole thing, right?  So that a whole lot of people be aware of what’s happening and to initiate discussion about it, in the hope that something could be done to stop the deterioration and to rebuild.

And since I want to have a balance of views here, today I’m featuring an article, written by Lalon dela Rosa of thE.thumBSuckeR.  He tells us of his niece’s experience of being admitted in a government hospital and how disappointing it is that there can be very rude public healthcare staff.  But, in contrast to the negative experience, he also detailed some good points these hospitals have.

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What Makes Our Public Healthcare Poorer?

by Lalon dela Rosa

It’s been like 3 days and 4 nights already that my newest/youngest niece, Chryz Ghian was admitted and is staying in a government-subsidized hospital (the National Children’s Hospital in E. Rodriguez Ave, Cubao, Quezon City) due to the child’s on and off fever that’s been going on for 3 whole days before her parents then decided to bring him in to a doctor.. he was first brought in to a private clinic nearby but then the doctor there suggested if we could bring the baby to PGH so they could perform further diagnostics as to why Ghian is having such fever, the clinic is unable to do that for they don’t have the necessary facilities to accommodate us.

So we’ve got no choice but to bring him in to PGH instead.. but as always, that public hospital never failed to disappoint us with their poor public service.. we literally waited for nothing (btw, we waited patiently and we weren’t even that typical demanding patients although i believe we have all the rights to do so, we’re paying high taxes, we exercise our right to vote, we’re law-abiding citizens and we approach public officials respectfully).. disgusted, we then went to the National Children’s Hospital.. it’s really long ride from Taft Ave and you might wanna ask why there? simply because i have an Aunt that’s working there as a Nurse Aid for more than 25 years and at least we’re assuming that good public service is guaranteed for us there.. but still we didn’t have it the way we should have it, and everybody else as well.

why i said so? because most (though there are some nice nurses and doctors naman) regular Nurses there are all snob and freaking hostile (in general) to us.. one time i went there to pay a visit to my niece and i weren’t able to get a friendly respond or even a definite answer as to where i could find my niece’s ward.. here’s a conversation with me and a good-looking guy nurse there (sayang ang gwapo pa naman nya).

Me: “Excuse me? do you have the patient’s list for this ward? (i pointed my hand across the ward room in front of the reception desk where the guy is sitting at)”
Good-looking Guy Nurse: (the guy is not even looking at me, instead he’s looking to a chart sheet that he’s flipping pages with while responding in an impatient tone)”hindi dito.. dun sa kabila (it’s not in here.. ask the nurse over there.)”

following what that guy told me i then went to the next reception desk fronting a different ward.

Me: “Excuse me.. do you have the patient’s list for this ward?”
Girl Nurse: “Bakit po? (Why is that?)”
Me: “Oh i was wondering if you have a patient by the name of Chryz Gian Asancha, he’s a baby boy”
Girl Nurse: “Ano po bang case nya? (What’s the baby’s case?)”
Me: “uhm sa neuro daw po sya eh.. he has an on and off fever actually”
Girl Nurse: “(in a really nice tone) Ah dun po sya sa guy sa kabilang ward kasi dun po yung neuro-ward (please ask the guy nurse over there.. he’s in charge for the neuro-ward patients)”

see? it’s as if i was a ping-pong ball that’s being tossed back and forth.. i went to the first ward’s reception area again and this time i asked a different nurse, another girl and she appears to be an intern from FEU (her name was Joanne de Guzman, hopefully i remembered her name correctly, thanks to her).. she was really nice and she assisted me well with my inquiry.. i later found out that she was actually the one that’s in-charge of Gian (talking ’bout being saved by the bell itself).. by the time that i know now where i was heading, it’s nearly almost 10 minutes before 7pm already (visiting hours starts from 4pm and ends at 7pm and their really prompt with it).. and so while i was about to enter the ward.. the head-nurse sternly warned me not to come in for it’s already 7pm.. i showed her my watch and told her i still have 10minutes (rules are rules).. she kinda infuriated me further because she spoke to me arrogantly and arrogance is one thing (amongst my dislikes) that i hated most.

i finally was able to enter the ward and there i saw my sister carrying baby Gian and it’s really a relief point for me.. i sat down and began to ask her what’s the real score behind Gian’s on and off fever.. she told me that the doctor still doesn’t know (darn it! for almost 4 days that the baby is confined there? still they don’t know what’s causing his sickness? that’s slower than a slowpoke).. we then talked about her condition there and how they were treated poorly and disrespectfully.. here are some of the observations that i came to know being there myself and from my conversation with my sibling.. this partially reflects the current status of our public healthcare system.

1. the ward is actually half the size of a public classroom where there are 9 kid-sized hospital beds that’s piled up in there or better off said canned like sardines.

2. what made it even worse is the fact that when time comes that there are too many patients that needs to be accommodated.. each kid-sized bed are mandatorily shared by two patients! i know hospitals can’t refuse admitting patients but hello? having them share the same bed is a different issue.. say for our case.. Gian only has a mild fever that time but then the other baby that’s sharing the bed with him actually has a high fever that time.. it’s common sense that fever is a contagious sickness.. good thing that they only get to share the bed for a night only since the other patient that’s occupying the other bed across went home already early that morning and so Gian’s “bedmate” transfered to the now vacated bed.

3. the ward fee is P400.00 per day.. i actually can name some private hospitals/clinics which offers the same amount but provides better service.

4. the attitude problem of most Nurses and Doctors there.. it’s really prevalent in our country and it really pisses me off.. i tell you those guys really need an attitude make-over.. or else if they don’t want their job or if they’re unhappy.. then better off resign.

i am complaining really, but that’s because there’s something that really needs to be brought up to surface and complain about.

now in fairness, although there are things that disgusts me so much i’d like to give you some good things about our public hospitals.

1. there are BIG (i mean really big) discounts on patients who doesn’t have a job and therefore not capable of paying.. they have a patient there who’s supposed to pay P10,000.00+ all in all but then since the parents both doesn’t have a job.. they were only asked to pay a sum P1,300.00+ only.. that’s really really a GOOD thing and i’m really happy to hear that wonderful incentive.

2. the interns are generally nice and hospitable (i guess this is because they aren’t eaten up yet by the system, hopefully they won’t).. so kudos to all the Interns there.. we truly appreciated all your help.. we even reminded Joanne (Gian’s intern nurse) na huwag sana syang magaya sa mga tenured nurses doon.

3. Medicines are also very affordable there.. some actually come for free.. ofcourse they better be.. it’s in the budget.

Now i know there are a lot of good nurses and doctors our there but please understand where i’m coming from.. it’s very unfortunate that i have to deal with these rude people.. they need to remember that they are “public servants” and that their salary comes from us citizens and they better serve us right and well for we deserved every bit of it.

Have a nice day y’all!

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As a healthcare practitioner, I get sad when I read that people describe some doctors and nurses as rude.  Not that I’m concerned because it can reflect back at me, but rather, I’m sad because I see this as a symptom of what’s ailing our healthcare system.  Healthcare professionals are unsatisfied because not enough provisions are being given to one of the most important aspects of a progressive society.

I’m encouraging those who have posts related to Philippine Healthcare or maybe experiences related to receiving and administering healthcare to email me or just leave a message at my meebo or tagboard so I could get back to you.  I don’t do features on a daily basis, though.  I get to post only when I have the time so please bear with me.  

For those who’d been following the Healthcare posts, thanks so much!  I hope we can raise awareness through blogging!

Tags: philippine healthcare, nurses, doctors, government hospitals, rude healthcare staff

Everybody knows that eversince Google came about, I never let them out of my sight.  I've been onto their latest all the time and been monitoring their moves and progress.  Well, who's one techie who hasn't got hooked into Google'ing??

I started liking all their products.. from the webby applications like Search Engine, GMail, Google Reader; to their standalone applications like Google Desktop, Google Earth, etc.  One thing though that I noticed about Google is that most of their products are made available only to Windows platform users.  It didn't bother me though, but when I did find out that they had Picasa ported to a Linux platform also, it made me feel happier.

Picasa is still the best photo organizer I've used.  (Well,  at least amongst free ones).  Here are some of the reasons why I like it:

• It offers you the capability to sort out your pictures and move them across folders and devices. 
  
• It allows for you to tag photos, associate them across multiple albums, and use star ratings too!
• It also allows you to put captions to your photos and offer a smooth browsing effect
  
• It can export your albums to an online gallery or quick send them through email.  It can also create slideshows and export them into a CD
  
• Best of all, with all these features, you can even edit your photos and keep a  copy of the original version of the photo!

There are still a lot more I can't begin to enumerate why I'm happy to have Picasa for Linux.  :)  I think I'd have to reitemize my list of must have graphic tools.  ;)  (See more about Picasa here)

Yet again, bloggers have proven that they’re always ready to get into action when there’s a possibility of good food and lots of freebies!

Bloggers invaded SM Mall of Asia’s Taste Asia last July 3 (thanks to Ms. Aileen Apolo of Google for inviting the bloggers!) and they weren’t disappointed.

Taste Asia is based on the popular “dampa” dining concept, where you buy fresh seafood from the sellers there and have the eatery cook it for a fee. Diners can eat their food al fresco or settle in airconditioned dining areas that can seat 150 people (and serve as function rooms als0) with flat screen TV’s. They can also have karaoke session afterwards. Comfort dining and fresh good food at affordable prices add up to a delightful gastronomic experience.

When the bloggers arrived at Taste Asia, food, of course, were cooked already. But there was a marvelous selection of fish and chips, fishballs, barbecues, broccoli, chicken wrapped in pandan, Fruitas shakes, and even Chocolate Fountains! Oh boy! I really had to give in to my chocolate cravings because of it. And, of course, who’d forget about the beer?

Jerico, Elmo, Darwin, Alagad ni Billycoy (Basta si Billycoy din ‘yan), Me, Shari, LA, Yatot, Poell, Karlo, Eric and Neil (Photo grabbed from thE.thumBSuckeR)

This is the group I stayed with most of the night. I didn’t feel especially sociable that night for reasons I don’t know. I even declined the chance to (shamelessly) promote my blog over the microphone and also to grab an umbrella and/or a Coke glass, which I shouldn’t have so that I can have a Coke glass that could serve as a reminder of how I almost got killed by glass splinters that night.

But I got out of the deadly glass shower alive and had the chance to enjoy the night further. The group, actually, got addicted doing…

Promise, I want this for my wedding reception.

Bloggers are camwhores, indeed:

But this one is THE WINNER:

Shari, this one’s my favorite talaga. I bet this pic will get the most page views at Cliquebooth.com.

And this must be the sweetest picture of the night:

You can really feel the searing emotions right there.

Shari, L.A., and Darwin had their own threesome that night, too:

Okay, so after engorging ourselves with food, camwhoring, and grabbing prizes, the night was officially closed and almost everybody went home. Few were left hanging around to enjoyed the rest of the night (after all, it was only around 11 p.m.!) live blogging, Y! chatting, doing videoke while Jayvee was playing his guitar.

Marcelle showed his talent of singing a solo duet of “Endless Love”. Go figure out how he did it. (I don’t remember who made a video of that performance. I hope someone uploads it hehe). He also showcased his talent for singing all the campaign songs used by the senators in the recently-held elections.

Finally, most people have decided to call it a night and went home. But Poell, Pierre, Marcelle, Darwin, L.A., Eric, and I wanted some extension of the partying and took a cab (actually, two) to go to Baywalk for some down-to-earth beer-drinking session. It was my first time, actually…to go to Baywalk! Hihi

We stayed there till about 4 a.m., talking about politics, the dangers bloggers can potentially face in the near future, Pierre’s advice to Darwin (of which I cannot disclose…unbloggable! :grin:), Marcelle’s playstation game and etcetera over sizzling sisig and bottles of San Mig Light beer (and Pierre’s pale pilsen). Marcelle also did some of his magic tricks.

I’m sorry I don’t have pictures of the Baywalk gimmick. Was too lazy to take pictures with my lousy K750i. I’ll be waiting for Eric to upload pics from his camera. Hehe.

I really enjoyed both the Taste Asia event and the post-Taste Asia gimmick. A nice change from the boring work and the boring house. Sigh.

And I did miss that chocolate fountain. I should have taken one home. Hahaha.

So Bloggers, ’til the next blogger event! (Or ’til next time some bloggers will suddenly have the urge to invite anyone and everyone to another S.E.B. But, please, not on a Saturday night!)

Extras:

• Phrase for the night:  “Hindi ‘yan white rabbit!”
• Song for the night:  “Sinabawang Gulay” (Aaaarrrggghhh! I still can’t get it out of my head.  This is Billycoy’s fault …and also Paolo’s, because of his video)

Tags: taste asia, blogger event, sm hypermarket, food fest

Marvel Comics just killed Capt. America.