Dear Editor,

I am concerned about the health-care culture in Jamaica.

I have a family member who lost a baby in the late second trimester due to pre-eclampsia. Her baby died in utero and she had a postpartum haemorrhage. She subsequently developed hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet (HELLP) syndrome and currently has acute renal failure and maybe even fluid on her lungs. She has yet to get even a chest X-ray and I fear the standard of care is severely lacking.

Out of concern for her health I have asked to speak to the care team, but they have vehemently refused to speak to anyone who has been trying to advocate for her. As someone who is medically trained, there are questions I would ask that she would not know to ask as she does not have medical training. However, I am unable to advocate on her behalf or even get an understanding of the plan of care as no one will speak with me, even though she has given permission for the doctors to do so.

This is unsafe patient care, because, based on the collaborative care model of health care, when advocates and support people are excluded, things can be missed. Unfortunately, this is lost on many people who can afford to fly to other countries to access health care that is evidence-based and timely. For those who cannot afford to leave Jamaica, should the price be their child’s life?

Even in a busy hospital we must take heed to ensure we follow the standard of care and appropriate protocols. If health care in Jamaica has kept up with the standards of evidenced-based medicine, why are physicians and nurses refusing to share their thinking model with those who have questions and concerns? Is it ego? Or uncertainty?

As Jamaica continues to live in the era of paper-charting, who is held accountable when dockets go missing or charting is altered? Jamaica’s health care is in crisis, and those who fly out for care will not make it a priority to fix this broken system.

C Stoddart

cstephens@shoppersdrugmart.ca