An old man

Currently into my third week of my medical posting.I'm absolutely loving it,i guess if i didnt like paediatrics so much i would have actually done medical.It's really busy,but there's so many new things to learn,so stimulating.


Well just wanted to share a funny,sad case.

This old man,73yr old,from an interior of Kapit,was admitted to sibu to rule out a hemolytic blood disorder,as they couldnt transfuse him while in Kapit,his blood kept on getting hemolysed(self destructing).his hemoglobin(part of the red blood cell) was very low.


So when asking him about his social history,he said their really poor,only has one daughter who's unmarried,whom also is a farmer,wife also quite ill.His diet history is so poor,can only afford to eat rice with vegetables,they cant afford fish and meat.


During rounds my specialist was talking about probably need to send out some investigations to the private lab,because they cant do it in the hospital.But we all knew he couldnt afford that.So just for completiton sake my mo asked if he could pay about RM 60-70,we were quite surprised when he said smillingly "oleh"(can).


So he started looking into his bag,we thought he was realling hunting for money.but he pulled out this card folder,it was gold,my friend beside me said,"Wah is that a GOLD card",haha we both laughed....



Unfortunately it wasnt,it was an ex-army card,this old man thought that the card would also pay for the tests,bacause with it he doesnt need to pay the hospital bills.



Somehow that moment really tugged my heart,i mean in the first place i never actually thought he would be an ex-soldier,he looks like any normal slightly senile old man.To think he is so poor because he cant even afford a decent meal,would bring tears to anyone with a heart i think.



So many question's crossed my mind at that time,how much compensation does he get each month?how much should he get?Does the country,the government and the people forget them just because they're in the remote interior?Are there many more like him?does he deserve this?


This man probably helped us achieve our independence,but here he is so poor eating only rice with veg.


I'm sure it happens everywhere and everyday,but it's small things like this that jolts me from my comfort zone,thinking there is so much that can be done even in the smallest way.


As for his condition we're still looking for clues,and no matter what we'l find alternatives for him to do the tests.thank god there are still some good people around.


"Empathy is still very much needed in our profession,strive for it"