13
Women in Healthcare
Our hopes and fears
HopeandFeararethe2most
powerful
emotions
experienced
whenyouoroneofyourlovedones
areill.
Ourhopesexpressourstrongestdesirestoreturntoastateof
healthandwellbeing;andourfearsareourdeepestfeelingsof
dreadorapprehension,whichareoftenrelatedtothoughtsof
suffering,deathorloss.Theseopposingfeelingsarepresentin
mostpeoplewhoencounterthehealthcaresystem–theylive
alongsidethesymptomsandthedisease.Treatingthemispartof
anycure.SouthAfricanwomenareoftenforcedtotolerateahigh
degreeoffearwhenitcomestoissuesoftheirhealthand
interactionswithourhealthcaresystem–whetheritbeoneither
theprivateorpublicside.
>
Corruption
in the healthcare system -which is leading to escalation in costs of proper care
>
Long distances to
travel
especially in
rural areas
>
Political influences
on our healthcare system
>
Medical Aid
premiums
are becoming
unaffordable
>
Healthcare is a business and has
lost the human element
>
Lack of accountability and leadership
>
Patient Care is fragmented
>
Decline inquality of healthcare facilities
>
Doctors prescribe drugs based on their relationships with pharmaceutical companies
>
Medical Aids dictate what care can be provided to patients
>
Fear of asking for a second opinion
>
Rise in incurable diseases such as cancers
>
Low morale amongst healthcare workers
>
Medical Aids are not transparent
with members on what they cover and what they exclude
>
Long waiting times for ambulances, doctors, surgery
>
Quality
of new healthcare professionals being produced
>
Our children will be ravaged by HIV/AIDS or TB
>
Increasing prevalence of lifestyle and lifelong diseases
>
Attitude
of healthcare workers towards vulnerable patients
>
Misinformation in media
about disease and medicines
>
Doctors, hospitals and medicines are
unaffordable
>
Side-effectsof new drugs often only known after many years
4
OurFearsaboutHealthcareinSouthAfrica
We have detailed below the fears of the participants who attended the BWA breakfast.