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Dr Masimba Mavaza
Correspondent
The 21st century nursing is the glue that holds a patient’s health care journey together. Across the entire patient experience, and whenever there is someone in need of care, nurses work tirelessly to identify and protect the health needs of the individual.
Beyond the time-honoured reputation for compassion and dedication lies a highly specialized profession, which is constantly evolving to address the needs of society.
From ensuring the most accurate diagnoses to the ongoing education of the public about critical health issues; nurses are indispensable in safeguarding public health.
Martin Matemai lived in the UK for over 20 years. He visited Zimbabwe on holiday.
After staying in Zimbabwe for two weeks, Martin was struck with an ailment.
He was driven to one of the private hospitals in the capital and on arrival, he was asked to sit at the reception while the nurses negotiated the payment.
Martin was to pay US$50 as an initial payment, this was just a consultation fee.
A decision was made that Martin should see a doctor. But a payment of an equivalent of 200 pounds was needed for the doctor.
Lucky, Martin had money. The amount was paid and the doctor was called in.
After some few minutes, Martin’s cousin was called in to be told that Martin was to be admitted in that clinic as his condition got worse.
An amount of US$1 500 was to be paid upfront for him to get a bed.
There was no time to negotiate and again any negotiation was futile.
So, the money was paid and Martin was wheeled in a private ward where he was alone in a room.
Martin became very weak and was in pain. Another doctor was called in and he said Martin had developed a condition which required an urgent surgery.
He was prepared for the surgery.
When he was ready, the nurse came to see the cousin who had come with Martin and told him the hospital needed US$2 500.
This time Martin did not have the money, but he had health insurance. The doctor was called in, but the private hospital did not take insurance cards.
Martin was told to pay and claim later. After some arrangements, the funds were now in place.
The hospital was paid and Martin was to be wheeled to the theatre.
The nurse called the cousin and two more relatives who had arrived at the hospital and broke the news that Martin had died.
The hospital had delayed treating Martin, which contributed to his death. The relatives were told to pay US$500 for the funeral parlour.
The most painful aspect was that there was no refund, even if Martin had died before treatment.
There was no care given to Martin until he paid all the required money. This is different from what is expected of hospitals and doctors.
Naturally a nurse is a caregiver for patients and helps to manage physical needs, prevent illness, and treat health conditions.
To do this, they need to observe and monitor the patient, recording any relevant information to aid in treatment decision-making.
But in the case of Martin, the doctors and the nurse were motivated with money.
The mushrooming of private clinics could have contributed to such behaviour since some of them are after making more money.
Humanity expects nurses to be role models and must exhibit high ethical standards through interpersonal and inter-professional relationships that fulfil commitments and cultivate an environment of inclusion and diversity.
Collins Matapo had a similar experience at another Harare private hospital.
His son was involved in a car accident.
On arrival, he was told to pay US$10 000 for his son to be treated.
Collins called around and finally the money was raised. His son had serious internal injuries.
The private clinic decided to transfer the son to Avenues Clinic where they said the theatre was well equipped.
They had organised a room there, but his son died on arrival at the clinic.
Collins remembered Florence Nightingale and the nurse pledge she made in 1893..
“I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly, to pass my life in purity and to practise my profession faithfully. I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug. I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession, and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping, and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling. With loyalty will I endeavour to aid the physician in his work, and as a ‘missioner of health’ I will dedicate myself to devoted service to human welfare.”
Collins realised that the pledge had changed with time.
This pledge was created in 1893 by a committee led by Lystra Gretter. Gretter updated the final sentence of the pledge to reflect a more public health model in 1935.
Nurse-patient relationships are a substantially neglected area of empirical research, more so in developing countries.
Although nursing discourse usually emphasises “caring”, nursing practice is often quite different and may be more strongly characterised by humiliation of patients and physical abuse.
Many patients reported clinical neglect, verbal and physical abuse from nursing staff which was at times reactive, and at others, ritualised, in nature.
A recent South African study on nurses’ behaviour towards patients said: “The deployment of violence became commonplace because of the lack of local accountability of services and lack of action taken by managers and higher levels of the profession against nurses who abuse patients. It also became established as “normal” in nursing practice because of a lack of powerful competing ideologies of patient care and nursing ethics.”
Online Reporter