Day hospitals may mean something different to people in other
parts of the world but for South
Africans the simple definition of a day hospital is a hospital for the poor;
mini care facilities low on funds, and big on heart. Day hospitals are run by nurses and are strategically placed to
reach more people and vast parts of the country. The qualified doctors and specialists who serve in the big
hospitals also serve in townships and outlying districts. Quality care is
provided to all.
Stigma
The stigma attached to those who attend day hospitals is a
negative one and implies that if one goes to a day hospital one is poor; this
is 99.99% correct. For those individuals seeking medical help, your
identification and age is verified, your bank statements looked over, and once approved
you do not have to pay for any medical service or medication. Day hospitals are
lifesavers and take their work
seriously.
A typical day at a day hospital
A day at a day hospital is a nightmare and starts well
before 7.00 a.m. for the public. To attend a day hospital requires patience and the sure knowledge that
even though your name might be called first, you will not leave the premises
until five or seven hours later. People are called in twenties to come up to a
certain queue. You then go and sit and wait for an hour or more for your name
to be called to sit in a different queue.
When everyone has been logged in which is around noon, you move to the
prep area where you give a sample of urine, have your weight and blood pressure taken, and sent to sit
in a different line yet once again.
How long does it
take?
You do not really know what is going on as there are at
least 50 to 80 patients milling about. Some sit outdoors and wait for their
name to be called. It is such a long and tedious day that you wish you had
money to pay for health insurance. At three in the afternoon you might be ready
to go to the area where one has to wait for payment. It can take hours before
your name is called, waiting for medication. Bribing a nurse does not work; they cannot do favors and move your name to
the top of the list. You are told the first time you visit the day hospital to
prepare yourself and that it is a waiting business. There is no point asking
the same thing over and over. You are advised to bring a book. You engage in
people watching and meet the most interesting
characters. At last you hear your name called. It is five in the afternoon.
The following day the doors open again and a new lot of patients rush in and
ask the same question: how long does it take? ‘Lady, it takes as long as it takes.’
