Dear Editor,

Jamaica is caught in a colonial vortex within its health system. For some reason, the people who are in charge believe that it makes excellent hygienic sense and is dignified to house patients, particularly the poor, in these large wards.

Recently, my niece from the United States visited a cousin who was admitted in the Mandeville Hospital. To her horror she saw the inhumane condition in which he and other patients were being warehoused.

For me, I am not flabbergasted, it is the Jamaican health care norm. It is a system I have experienced as a child. However, I am very sad.

I am sad because, according to her, the primitive nature of the admitting records is cause for alarm. She was forced to call out the person’s name in order to find out where on the ward he was.

Really now?!

Forget these grandiose ideas for health care for now. Do the little things. Ban these general wards. Transform these wards into semi-private and tri-private rooms. Build proper bathroom facilities so that patients do not have to travel long distance to use the restroom or shower.

As a nation, let’s give respect to the poor who are sick.

Michael Brown

Washington, DC

miguelbro@yahoo.com