 |
| ADK HOSPITAL - MALDIVES |
Obviously it is very common to
have undergone frustration and discomfort in receiving services from the two major
hospitals in Male’- ADK and IGMH. For years, I have chosen ADK over IGMH for
the reasons that it is located in the proximity of my living area and it
‘seems’ that it provides a less ‘burdening’, smooth and a fast service than
IGMH.
But having to wait in the queue
for hours counting the monotonous beeps of token display systems and wastage of
time due to the limited information available are still prevailing draw backs
in ADK.
Anyways, as the heading says, my
point is to share a bad day I have experienced in ADK recently.
Last week I went ADK for a
medical examination. When my token was displayed, I went to the counter and said
the type of medical examination I intend to do and the country to which it will
be passed. “To which Doctor do you want
to consult?”, replied the girl. I told her the name – Dr Pandian upon which I
was asked to pay MRF750.
I paid the money and went to
doctor’s room when it was my turn. Dr Pandian instructed me what I should do –
the tests I need to perform for the medical examination. He gave me an appointment
for another day before which I had to have everything done.
Afterwards, I hurried to the Radiology
room hoping to complete the required tests within one day. Things went smoothly
other than taking few more minutes for completing the form by the Radiologist.
I went to the Laboratory for
a urine test on the heels of radiography. “You have to pay for the test”, said
the Lab tech after seeing my memo and the test sheet. Unbelievably I went back
to the counter and talked to the same girl I met first, though I was pretty
sure that the initial payment should cover all the expenses. To my surprise,
she also took the side of lab tech and told me to go to another counter for the
payment. But I insisted. Asking me to wait, she went in to the office, probably
to talk a senior staff. She came back within few minutes and said that I have to
pay for the urine test and she could check me the price for that. “Ok, check me
the price, but I need to talk to a senior”, I replied. She said that the price
for the urine test is MRF60 while heading to call for a senior. A lady in brown
uniform appeared who told me that the urine test is not included in the medical
examination. According to her it was a test prescribed by Dr Pandian since he
felt that I should do a urine test apart from my medical examination. Superb!
Isn’t it? It didn’t make sense to me. So I asked, “What tests are covered in
this medical examination?” She paused for a while and giving me an embarrassing
smile and showing me a sign from her palm which possibly meant ‘wait’, disappeared
into office. Not much time elapsed before she came back and told me that if I have
done a urine test recently I can use the result of that test instead of
repeating it which was not a satisfactory answer to my mess. She also came up
with a list of medical tests that ‘according to her’ are covered in the medical
examination from which she excluded the urine test. Despite the questions
harbouring in my mind I surrendered. I went to the counter where they were
directing me to pay for the urine test.
Alas, the girl there started a
totally different story. According to her I have to pay MRF160 whose breakdowns
were MRF100 for the initial consultation which according to her is not charged
from me and MRF60 for the urine test. Though low tempered, by then I have
started to lose my mind. Trying to muffle my frustrations, I told the girl that
I have paid for the medical examination and had the initial consultation. As
usual, she disappeared into the office. Through the glass window I could see
her talking to a lady in brown uniform which was not the same staff I have
talked to. After a while, she whisked towards me pressing her forehead with one
hand. She said that I don’t have to pay for the urine test, but initial
consultation fee is not charged from me for which I have to pay MRF100”.
I was totally amused and confused
for the awareness these pretty ladies have regarding the policies and
procedures of their work place. Finally, thinking that it is over, I paid
MRF100 and went back to lab.
“You have to pay for the urine
test”, said the lab tech looking at me as if I didn’t know what I was up to. Although
she was a different lab tech and her statement was pleasant, it ignited sparkles
of fire in my mind. “From the counter they said I don’t have to pay for it”, I
replied in a bit unpleased tone.
As if she understood the worries
running through my mind, she went to the counter with all my documents while I
directed her to the staff who serviced me last. I guess it was a lab test sheet
named as medical examination which was missing. I am not sure. They solved the
problem.
It took hours for me to complete
something that could be completed within few minutes. About 6-7 staffs of
different levels looked into the matter but no one seemed to thoroughly know what procedures should be followed to solve the struggle I had went through.
No doubt, ADK needs better staff awareness
programs.
0 comments:
Post a Comment