Re: Discrimination of PLHAs in Chennai- Some facts

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum,

While i appreciate that PLHAs have special needs that have to be fulffilled, i

think we also need to look at Government hospitals in the larger perspective of

a health provider.

Having been through the government hospital myself during various stages of my

medical education, i know that doctor-patient, nurse-patient and as pointed out

cousellor-patient ratios are extremely low.

While INP+ advocate for better facilities for HIV+ve individuals, why can't we

take steps to advocate with the government to improve their services on the

whole. No individual who has even a little money would go to govt hospitals -

quality of care is poor and to top it all most people are treated badly. I think

its also the way any government office treats the subjects of this nation.

Is this because of our " chaltha hai " attitude?

What can we do to make a difference?

Sunita Abraham

Community Health Department

Chrisitian Medical Association of India,

A-3, Janakpuri, New Delhi 110058,

E-mail: <sunita.abraham@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear ALL,

I am surprised at the response of Dr. Sunita Abraham on the affair at govt.

hospitals.

In fact , the govt. hospitals are the only source for the majority of our

population and indeed the services may be relatively not

better and the main reason has been that they are more accountable when they

perform and this has led to their so called inaction. And they become an easy

prey to the mob attitude and this is highly media sensitive.

And no private practitioners or private hospitals are subject to such scrutiny.

It is not the priority of advocacy to improve the government services but it is

the priority to improve the public - private partnership. And for that the

attitude of - No individual who has even a little money would go to govt

hospitals - should change. The haves should participate in public health

services by paying for their services availed. This partnership would not

only strengthen the govt. hospitals but also create a demand generation for a

quality service

Let us advocate for a cooperative effort. Dr. Sunitha has rightly pointed out

that the patient and staff ratio is too low. This should be attended to

immediately. Another practice that need to be considered here is to avoid

placement of staff on project basis as this nullifies continuance of services.

Y.Sambasivarao

E-mail: <airtds@...>