Mark Wignall | The myth of free healthcare

Sixty-seven year old Jim Thomas (not his real name) literally didn’t know what hit him. It was early afternoon, and as he was about to cross the road, his first step found him tossed about five feet away on the sidewalk and sprawled on one side. A car, driving where it was almost skimming the sidewalk, had slammed into his legs and then sped away.

Jim was in his parish, St Catherine, and relatively close to the Spanish Town Hospital, where a kind passerby had taken him. Based on the fact that over the years the government health service had supplied him with ‘pressure pills’ free to him, he had bought into the fullness of the myth that free healthcare was available to the poorest Jamaicans in all instances.

But he was not a fool. Surely, he knew that if he had a serious heart problem and he had urgent need for a pacemaker, at $1.7 million, the reality would tell him to make plans for his funeral. The myth of free healthcare for the poor earns, sadly, a lament every time a minister of government has a bellyache and jets off to a private Florida health facility for treatment.

Jim was told that his condition of fractures in one leg could be fixed, but there was a little problem. The hospital pharmacy did not have the supplies. Medical personnel from the Spanish Town Hospital gave certain information to a journalist friend of Jim’s. The info gave the name and address and phone number of a private entity that was in the medical supplies business.

The prescription was filled out under the National Health Fund, St Catherine Health Department, according to the document in my possession.

But now comes the fun part. Most perversely. The funds required to fill the prescription according to the December date proforma invoice in my possession, is just a little over $102,000. Mr Thomas’ reality is that he is a poor pensioner, and like a lot of people in his position, he has no health insurance.

As I write this (Wednesday, December 20), it is more a certainty than a possibility that Jim will spend Christmas with the helpful nurses and other staff in the health services with whom he has interacted.

Jamaica has a high incidence of road accidents, and one would think that it would not need the findings of an actuary to figure out that things like eight double -pin clamps at $3,600 each ($28,800), one small fragment implants set ($19,600), and the rental for drill/saw ($18,800) would be among the medical items needed to deal with the trauma of broken bones.

But in a society where the pump is usually primed in favour of getting the wealthy to the head of the line, medical supply entities will always be ready to fill the needs of those where cash is more than a unit of value. It’s a frill, an embellishment.

This is not an isolated incident. The reality is that even as many poor patients bear the long-suffering that comes from waiting on social services reports designed as ad hoc fixes, the timeline is usually unknown. I know of quite a few others who simply walk away and wait on the final trauma of life to take them home.

LOVING JAMAICA FROM AFAR

A Jamaican reader who has lived abroad for 25 years writes: “I think about my beloved homeland constantly. It gives me no joy to point out all that ails our country and critique a political directorate that has failed Jamaica for over 50 years. I will never give up on Jamaica, but I am broken-hearted at Jamaica’s current state. Jamaica is like a beautiful woman who teases that she will go out with you but never does. A tingling sensation of anticipation for something great, but it never happens, and still you wait, still you hope.

“I am saddened by the poverty, crime, lack of necessities for communities like water, education, computer-equipped libraries and toilets. Medical care of a decent standard for all Jamaicans. I am saddened by the violence and hatred we bestow upon one another. I am saddened by the numbers of our people who act ignorantly and crassly. The rampant corruption and moral bankruptcy hurt me deeply.”

Another person who has been reading my columns for ages writes: ‘For 2024, I want the political directorate to do their jobs. It’s almost simplistic. Serve the people. Listen to the people. Pass meaningful legislation. Lead by setting a good example.

‘To start, how about the Prime Minister keep some of his promises. Like fixed election dates. Like taking a principled stand against corruption. Like holding his own colleagues and Cabinet members to a standard of ethical, honest behaviour. Mr. PM, stop giving well-worded speeches that have no follow up. Mr. PM, make the difficult speeches, like addressing the SSL fiasco of recent days as to the break-in. Mr. PM do not duck or hide from facing challenging issues head on. Show the people you will roll up your sleeves and take on the hard problems facing the nation. Lead by example and from the front.”

CRAZY RESHUFFLE

Please, Mr PM, how about appointing M. Everald Warmington as minister of peace, serenity and decency? Appoint Security Ministry Horace Chang as minister of statement, pronouncement and promise. With special responsibility for tickling our funny bones.

The PM should appoint himself as national flag man on all construction sites along the public roadways. That way he can be given the ‘pro poor people’ visibility he needs without saying anything and giving away empty promises.

As for the People’s National Party (PNP), they should employ two consultants: Ms Karen Cross and Mr Andrew Holness. The first order of business is asking the consultants to magically disappear. Each carry a special strength that either fuels the PNP or annoys it.

And please have a most happy Christmas.

Mark Wignall is a political and public affairs analyst. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and mawigsr@gmail.com.