Do not politicise health care

For example, at my school a visit from the dentist was a day to be feared. The car would sneak into the schoolyard and park quietly in its accustomed spot by the gate, trapping us inside and allowing no time to run for cover. We would watch in horror as the instruments of torture were set up in a corner. The teacher would read out a list of names and from that moment you knew you were on your own. Just you, the dentist, and the chair.

One by one you took turns for examination. A failing grade meant immediate extraction, accompanied by howling, tears and jeers from your friends. In those days there was no electricity to spin the motor, no automatic rinsing, no piped background music, and certainly no false promises that "this won't hurt a bit". The drill was driven by a foot pedal which the dentist rode up and down for the duration of the pull. After that experience you were a man, and you wore the bandage around your jaw as a badge of honour.

No wonder that a schoolmate of mine who became a magistrate jokes that to this day whenever he takes the dentist's chair he solemnly asks "Do you swear to pull the tooth, the whole tooth, and nothing but the tooth?"

Home delivery

Most babies then were born at home, delivered by Nana the grandmother or by the village midwife.

The midwife had to reach her patients at all hours of the night, in some cases accompanied by her husband carrying a flashlight used not only to negotiate the path up to the dwelling but also to aid in the delivery.

Every adult over 50 years has a polio vaccination mark that reminds of the mass immunisation skilfully undertaken by the health authorities, led by Dr Wilbert Jeffrey-Smith Wilson in 1954. And of course, latrines and outdoor toilets in those days were commonplace. The public health inspector had the arduous task of visiting latrines on a regular basis and issuing a pass mark or notice which was pasted on the inner wall of the building.

Home and bush medicine treatment was an integral part of the health system and mothers knew exactly what to do. None more fearsome than the back-to-school wash out of salt physic to clear up the effects of the summer bush cooking and the mango walk raids.

Shortcomings

Health care in Jamaica today has its shortcomings, but one cannot question the value of its availability to all, the advancements made, and the high standards of care and professionalism as administered by our institutions. I recently had to spend visitor time at the St Ann's Bay Hospital and came away with a lasting impression of staff care, patience, and professionalism under the demanding circumstances faced by a hospital open to free health care. Time spent in the emergency ward allowed observation of the nurses, doctors, orderlies and porters cheerfully carrying out their duties and finding extra time to deal with the numerous enquiries. They never skirted an issue or a demand, and there were many.

The files were thoroughly kept even while shift duties kept staff on their feet the entire night. The private Kaiser Ward also demonstrated care and attention and did all possible to lighten personal distress.

We know of the challenges that exist with lack of resources and the pressures from the public. The public's claim for priority attention is often based on "ah we a pay de taxes", even if some have never worked a day in their lives.

We should never attempt to politicise something as important to well-being such as health care. On that note, much commendation to Minister Ruddy Spencer, who took on the enormous challenge of introducing and implementing a free public-health system, and doing it so well. He remains calm and is always on top of the situation. The right man in the right place at the right time.

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