Aug 17, 2002 11:50 AM
4542 Views
(Updated Aug 17, 2002 11:56 AM)
I don't claim to be an authority in health issues but I will try and speak my mind on this particular institution. I have a long standing relationship with this institution of health.
It was 1997 February, my pharmacy exams were round the corner and as usual I was putting in my best by burning the midnight oil. My dad was up trying to give me company but soon called it a night. The next thing I see is my mom running helter skelter looking for aspirin. I ask her why and all I get is call your dad's cardiologist. I could not believe my ears and did as I was asked. My totally healthy and fun dad could not be going through this. His cardiologist, a nice guy had just received a consultant’s position at this new mammoth of a hospital (for Indian standards) and since it was the closest we were asked to rush him.
I had seen it from the outside and so knew it's direct location. I drove my parents to the hospital. My dad wasn't too bad and was just experiencing some discomfort. By the time our little maruti Zen rolled in through the gates of lilavati, there was a small army of health professionals already waiting there. For a distressed family this was very much of a comfort.
My dad was piled into a wheelchair and rushed to the Emergency room (ER) where he was immediately pumped with the necessary medication and later we discovered that this prompt action on part of the hospital team was indeed helpful in containing the damage to the heart. My dad had the best service in terms of health care and he said himself that it did not feel like a hospital, due to the clean fresh smelling corridors instead of the usual disinfectant odors one commonly associates with hospitals in India, and later as he recovered he joked that now he understood, how the Prince of Brunei felt.
After the initial shock of one of your loved ones going through an ordeal such as a heart attack, was over we had to deal with another one and this time it was the cost of healthcare provided. In a mere week my dad had managed to blow an average Indians 6-month salary.
My parents have been fortunate to have the financial resources and they still prefer to do their follow ups at this institution only because of it's location and familiarity of the staff (my mom is a physician...and no matter who says that it is not so, we all know how physicians are treated in India).
I am sure there are other health care providers who will provide the same health care with less pomp and show and thereby not charge the average Indian for the privileges such as gourmet food and comforts like air conditioning and clean rooms provided.
I in the last couple of years have not visited the hospital and so I am not aware whether the service provided to my dad was to establish their popularity in the market or they have still continued to provide similar care to all their paying customers.
All I can say is health here comes at a very high cost and if you are not familiar with the medical terminology or under the stress of a loved one's health are errand in going over the bill I can assure you, that the bill will include the laundering costs as well as a couple of medical investigations that were not performed. I think if you go knowing this fact you can be happy with the service provided as they have healthcare protocols followed by most of the western nations.
I hope anyone reading this review doesn't need to enter a healthcare institution and may they be blessed with health
