poverty is a big issue

The one thing that is creating a problem at the moment is poverty and the inability of some patients to afford the costs of investigations and treatment. Radiology especially CT and MRI scans are expensive and surgical treatment is also very expensive for many. Real patients with real problems and significant risks of increased morbidity and mortality are seen without ability to pay for treatment. It saddens.

What can we do and how can one help? How many free treatments can one afford to give out before you stop being able to help even anyone? What ways can we device to help? Because we do have to do something. And fast.

First, we perhaps should encourage the development of charities, the involvement of charities in care and establish specific foundations and endowments to fund some investigations and operations. We should also perhaps encourage and set up support groups for conditions such as stroke, tumours and trauma. The charities and groups could seriously help to inform, educate and generate much needed funds for particular projects.

Involving well meaning members of the public in specific projects for hospital development and endowments is important and should be actively encouraged. All hands need to be on deck especially in preventive measures to reduce the incidence of many conditions. We need to actively educate doctors and nurses and then the general public on ways to prevent some preventable diseases.