Do Jamaican doctors observe the Hippocratic Oath? BAILEY... "My father slept on my bed every night to take me to the bathroom because I could not walk"

Monday, September 08, 2014  

YESTERDAY'S Sunday Observer provided the intriguing information that, for the first time ever, the Medical Association of Jamaica — founded in 1872 — met with a Jamaican prime minister.

Mrs Portia Simpson Miller and president of the medical association, Dr John Hall, are said to have discussed a range of issues central to medical care.

BAILEY... My father slept on my bed every night to take me to
 the bathroom because I could not walk

Given the stresses and strains affecting the medical sector—- often reported on in this newspaper and other media outlets — it is clear that there needs to be close contact between Government and the various professional groups.

Yet, another article has given us cause for disquiet on this score. The story headlined 'Miss Universe Jamaica finalist declares war on lupus' is essentially about Miss Zandrea Bailey's battle with the life-draining disease lupus, and her commitment to make a "difference" in the campaign to overcome the disease.

Our concern here is with her version of the response she got from hospitals during her period of crisis with her medical condition, when, as she puts it, she felt close to death.

Miss Bailey claims that, as her father sought desperately to get her the expert treatment she needed, she was turned away from one public sector hospital because "exams were in progress and they would not be admitting anyone unless it was critical". more