THE EDITOR:
When doctors put down their stethoscopes, fold and pack away their medical coats, the immediate casualties of their failure to report to work, are the people who need them most. Our sick men, women and children, asthmatics, epileptics, and babies dehydrated from gastroenteritis, are further afflicted when their caregivers are not present.
No one can deny that St. Jude Hospital, it’s staff and patients, are in need of urgent attention. The government must also listen to pleas from members of the public for improved dissemination of information, on disquieting issues like the OKEU Hospital and National Health Insurance. Yet, these shortcomings do not justify the threat to abandon the sick; choosing instead to stay home while they are left to suffer alone.
The executive of the SLMDA must steadfastly reject all partisan pressures and requests for political favors. As physicians, our loyalty must always be, first and foremost, to our patients. Let us remember, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other”. Luke 16:13 (Dr. Andre R. L. Matthew MD)