To the anonymous person who posted a comment in response to my entry about hospitals: Thanks for your thoughts. I’ll respond to your first two paragraphs:
what is your definition of a qualified physician? How do you determine a qualified physician? If we are to go by the statement in your blog would it be safe to say that qualification is determined by the color of the skin? Liberia may be recovering from 14 years of civil war that does not imply that the hospitals are staffed by unqualified people.
Many expatriates visiting Liberia have this stereotype and prejudice about the system.In mostinstances many of these views are based on erroneous information obtained from the internet or an isolated incident experienced by an individual. It is unfortunate that many of these stories are not investigated and people are not prepared to authenticate the facts from the fiction. For those who investigate and explore the system, find it rewarding.
The two hospitals I went to were staffed by unqualified people. I believe that there are qualified doctors in Liberia–both Liberians and non-Liberians. But at Catholic (and most likely at SOS) at 1:00 AM, there were no qualified doctors.
I based my assessment on their interaction with me and my brother. The first guy at SOS was an awful communicator. Maybe he was a doctor. Maybe he knew exactly what was wrong with my brother. But the only medical-related advice he conveyed was: “I could check his heart rate.” The guy at Catholic was a physicians assistant. I know this because I asked.
I went into SOS expecting quality service. The only “information” I based my expectation on was that SOS is expensive. I went into Catholic with no expectations, but when the receptionist was asleep at the front desk, I admit my expectations dropped. As I mentioned in my post, the PA was professional. But he was either unable or unwilling to apply any of the medical jargon he threw at me to the case of my brother. He was also overly confident that my brother had malaria. Based on the fact that my brother recovered the next morning, I would say that assessment was wrong. Of course all health professionals make mistakes. But he should not have claimed to know my brother’s problem before conducting a malaria test.
I’m not sure how the investigation you propose would change the situation. Again, I think that there are qualified doctors in Liberia. But for whatever reason, in the middle of the night, at two of the best hospitals in the country, I couldn’t find them.
“what is your definition of a qualified physician? How do you determine a qualified physician? If we are to go by the statement in your blog would it be safe to say that qualification is determined by the color of the skin? ”
Funny, I read that post in this blog and didn’t see anything referring to skin color. Is it possible that the person who left this coment is projecting his own prejudices onto the blogger?
Many expatriates visiting Liberia have this stereotype and prejudice about the system.In most instances many of these views are based on erroneous information obtained from the internet or an isolated incident experienced by an individual.
Ex-pats are not ‘visiting’ Liberia, we are living here,usually for years. We have a vested interest in the state of healthcare in Liberia. Does ‘anonymous’ know something about healthcare in Liberia that those of us living here don’t?
I don’t want to dwell any further on this topic because Shelby adequately addressed the issues that were raised in my comment. I am satisfied with her response. She is an energetic and industrious young lady. I wish her the best. However, I feel compel to answer some questions and a comment made by “ethib” in response to my comment.
“Ethib” the cruz of the matter is not whether an ex-pat lives in Liberia or is visiting Liberia. What is of concerned is the bias, stereotype, and unbalanced views expressed by some ex-pats regarding Liberia, the system and its people. This comment is no way a reflection of the original post that generated this debate.
There are are many expatriates living in Liberia that are truly concerned about Liberia and the plight of its people. These ex-pats left the comfort of their country and family to serve under extreme and deplorable circumstances. The people of Liberia and humanity are very grateful for their assistance in helping build Liberia’s devastaed infrastructure and lives. Yet, there are others driven by greed, adventurism, and unfair criticism.
I am sorry that I can’t expand on these issues because this is not an appropriate forum for such discussion.
In response to your question concerning the state of healthcare in Liberia regarding “what I know and what you don’t Know”, I will start by saying that I am not an expert in health matter. However, what I do know is the entire health system was devastated by nearly two decades of civil war and based on statistical information 300 qualified Liberian doctors left the country. I am also aware that these institutions are gradually being built with the help of the international community. I also know that no hospital in Liberia will allow an unqualified doctor attend to patients. I do know that some illegal clinics exist in communities but without the acquiesce of the Ministry of Health. Please figure out what you don’t know.
Finally, the writer also have a vested interest in Liberia. Lived and worked in Liberia for 31/2 decades. I am hoping to return permanently in 2008.
Good day and thank you for the time in throwing some light on my thoughts.
And yet you accused Shelby of ‘judging doctors based on the color of their skin’. I saw nothing in her post that would justify such an accusation, Perhaps an apology would be in order?
You claim “Many expatriates visiting Liberia have this stereotype and prejudice about the system”, but Shelby’s view is right on. Health care here is atrocious, no stereotype or prejudice is needed. I’m aware of the reasons why, but that doesn’t change the facts, anonymous.
Shelby’s experience with Liberia’s health care system was nothing less than honest or accurate.