Imagine.
You are a nurse, and you happen to have a patient who contracted pulmonary tuberculosis. As usual, she exhibits classical signs and symptoms any patient with PTB would manifest, namely, blood stained cough (haemoptysis), fever, impaired lung function.
Your patient is started on the first line anti-TB drugs treatment (RHEZ). During the course of therapy, blood tests reveal raised liver enzymes which could worsen to liver dysfunction.
Doctors suspect the compromised liver resulted from the side effects of the anti TB drugs, thus therapy is halted immediately. Her condition deteriorates (sudden desaturation and persistent haemoptysis), is transferred to a higher level of care and categorized under DIL (dangerously ill list).
After stabilizing her condition, doctors decide to switch to IM Streptomycin, a 2nd line anti TB treatment. After some improvements, she is transferred back to the general ward where she resumes traditional 1st line treatment, together with 2nd line treatment under strict monitoring.
You would think that being saved from the verge of death calls for a celebration.
It largely depends on your patient’s nationality and line of work.
“How so?” You ask.
It is a sad day when the ugliness of humanity reveals itself.
Imagine again.
Your patient just happens to be an Indonesian maid and her employers (paying the brunt of the hospitalization bill) just happen to be Singaporean.
Then further imagine.
Her employers marching to the ward and screaming to everyone they see about the costs incurred and insist on sending their maid back.
Yes, on a flight.
Nevermind her still infectious condition (her AFB smears are still 4+). Afterall, the people on the flight don't matter to them.
Motherfuckers. *spits*
The doctor tries to reason out the situation, but no explanation can penetrate their thick skulls. Apparently, all auditory sensation is immediately rendered useless as long as the content does not appeal to their flawed logic.
“We've been to the MP you know!” they hack.
So what? Cheebye.
“Why must I pay?! Why must everyday take blood?! How much for the test?! I want a detailed report. You must inform me first before you do any test cause I'm paying!!!!” they hiss.
In short, they’re just concerned about the cash involved.
They even try to show off their largely googled knowledge by ranting off about what they think they know about PTB, treatments and their side effects.
"Why did you all stop the treatment when she has TB? That's why until now still got TB you know!"
It’s bullshit at its best.
Would you then favor possible chronic liver failure?
You exposed how ugly you really are.
You should thank your lucky stars for being born in a relatively affluent nation, with parents whom could provide opportunities for education, the chance to find work and afford a maid. Many others a left without much choice besides working as housekeepers or in menial jobs.
So as you complain about how they dent your finances, take a breather and think about how God has given you the opportunity to save another person's life. For without your assistance (no matter how unwilling you were), your money helped provide her resources to recover.
Now I’d like to imagine:
1. A Singaporean with more compassion.
2. A Ministry of Manpower that will bar fuckers like those imagined in the above from EVER, EVER employing anyone
3. Embassies that will help cover or at least co-pay treatment for their fellowmen
4. Karma, just Karma
Oh yeah, and I'd like to imagine slapping their faces til their teeth fly out.
To sock them in the eye til their eyeballs pop.
Let those aqueous humor flow!
And end it off with stepping on the abdomen.
I'm aiding gastric motility! Really.
