Usually, after a long Holiday far from one's home, we humans long for our own bed. We just cannot wait to hit the hay - to hug our own pillow, cover our face with our own blanket (if it is cold) and generally, to want to feel the freshness of our own bed sheet caressing our skin. Even if we've checked into nice hotel(s) for that vacation, one's own bed is priceless.
But what about another bed, that bed? That bed is the hospital bed; I guess, no one wants to be in that bed. But what can we do if we get sick and the doctor orders a confinement?
Getting a bed at a hospital should be no problem. If you have been taken into an emergency unit, complaining of a severe stomach ache, then told you've got inflammed gall bladder, and need to stay, then you should be checked into a room/ward, presto! But as what's happened to one family, this is easier said than done; getting a bed in some hospitals has become a problem.
Here in Canada, where health care is universal, we Canadians are lucky to have access to world-class hospitals. But depending on which government is sitting (Liberal, Tory-conservative, or the NDP - democrats), our health care system's features and benefits could change with them.
For the latest developments in Ontario health care system, please check this:
http://ottawa.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20090315/OTT_caplan_health_090315/20090315/?hub=OttawaHome
For instance, previously funded services such as chiropractics, physiotherapy and eye exams have been delisted; but on the upside, there's availability of more radiation therapy units in hospitals. I remember one friend who, years ago, had to drive to Buffalo, New York every weekend to get radiation/chemotheraphy. Of course, another development, is that nowadays, we have to pay a yearly premium (costing from some $600 - 900 per individual ) for our health insurance.
In the Philippines, getting a bed in some hospitals is a real problem. This is the sad story mentioned above. It's been happening in government-owned hospitals, where there is limited resources, for the longest time; but now, it's been happening in private hospitals, too.
My daughter who resides in Manila had to wait one full day to get her own bed, and this took place in a big, prestigious hospital in Manila. Imagine being in great pain and becoming further distressed by not having a room or a bed. Does this mean that there are many people getting sick over there? Or are hospitals getting leaner by cutting down on fatty operational costs? Or are those mid-sized hospitals closing down, leaving a few to absorb the growing population, the last count of which was 70 million?
Whatever. If you get to be hospitalized, there better be a bed readily available for you.
For instance, previously funded services such as chiropractics, physiotherapy and eye exams have been delisted; but on the upside, there's availability of more radiation therapy units in hospitals. I remember one friend who, years ago, had to drive to Buffalo, New York every weekend to get radiation/chemotheraphy. Of course, another development, is that nowadays, we have to pay a yearly premium (costing from some $600 - 900 per individual ) for our health insurance.
In the Philippines, getting a bed in some hospitals is a real problem. This is the sad story mentioned above. It's been happening in government-owned hospitals, where there is limited resources, for the longest time; but now, it's been happening in private hospitals, too.
My daughter who resides in Manila had to wait one full day to get her own bed, and this took place in a big, prestigious hospital in Manila. Imagine being in great pain and becoming further distressed by not having a room or a bed. Does this mean that there are many people getting sick over there? Or are hospitals getting leaner by cutting down on fatty operational costs? Or are those mid-sized hospitals closing down, leaving a few to absorb the growing population, the last count of which was 70 million?
Whatever. If you get to be hospitalized, there better be a bed readily available for you.
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