private hospital: money or life?

That's very sad. And it just makes me angry when such things happen - because I can't imagine what if I was the one who's in that situation. It's unfair. But come one, let's face it. Life has always been unfair. In many ways than one.

yeah thats true, its very sad that these things really happened and is still happening. and still thankfull and hopefull that there are still many doctors anf hospitals who are willing to do operations even if the patient's dont have enough funds. i mean these hospitals who choose patients with money are hospitals that should not be promoted to friends and relatives. i mean thats one way of informing them that hey, you are so bad, you are suppose to help and all you need is money..that is why we need to take care of ourselves because its costly to be ill.

Here you cannot be denied emergency care, even if you have no funds or insurance. It is still hard to pay, but more lives are saved, I am sure.

In spite of the exorbitant rates charged for medical treatments, the quality assured in the private sector can never be undermined.

I am truly sorry to hear this! And I think this is why the general populace here in Canada is fighting the advent of Private Hospitals...and Private Clinics, so that they only persons that get quality Medical attention, are the monied ones! But, sadly enough we are slowly gravitating to that state! And it is happening in every part of our health care system! Here, it is the Medical personnel mostly revolting against the Government pay...as they make sooooo much more in Private Practice, Private Clinics, Private Hospitals! Happy Sunday!

I feel sorry for your relative.. that's really unfair. Doctors and nurses should save lives not collect money to make them richer. These doctors do not really know their responsibilities or if they know, they pretend to be blind to it. I believe being a doctor or a nurse is a noble job. therefore, not all should be allowed to be one. I hope only those who have high morals and principles and those who cannot be bought by money could become doctors and nurses.

That is just awful! It makes me so angry that they get away with this sort of treatment. Surely it would go against the hipocratic oath that doctors have to take? I for one could never stand by and allow someone to suffer or die when I was able to help. I could never forgive myself.

That's truly disheartening. I do think they are focusing on earning money rather than saving lives. In most areas there are county hospitals that take patients who can't afford the high cost of private hospitals. I'm surprised your relative wasn't moved to a county hospital.

This happens all too often in life. We, in the U.S., have the worst medical system in the Western hemisphere. It is time for a major change. I am one of those in favor of a form of socialized medicine like they have in so many other countries. Yes, our taxes would be higher to offset the cost, but consider the cost of health insurance we pay now. And that insurance usually does not pay for everything. Employer subsidised health insurance is fairly good (but even that is getting thinner by the month) but what if you are not employed or retired and not yet on medicare? Cobra plans are obsenely high. I am in that last category and let me tell you it's not pretty.

Yes, I have heard about this many times already. We can' always b;lame the doctors and the hospital. If you don't have money, then the hospital will not be sustainable and it will eventually shut down, which is even worse. While it is ultimately the government's job to ensure that there is funding provided for the health of its citizens, many governments aren't able to do so. It is a sad reality. :(

If we are to look at the oaths that they took before becoming doctors then their refusal to treat a patient because of money contradicts this oath. From another view point the hospital may be owned by a person or group of persons who had never been in the nursing nor medical profession. Therefore they are not bound by the oath. As employees the doctors have to comply with the terms of their contract. Any business entity needs money. Even government hospitals cannot fully subsidise akk medical treatments. In fact years back government hospitals were taken advantage of, even by those who could afford to pay the full bill. If I am not mistaken there are several other avenues which we can try if we do not have the money. Religious bodies and several NGOs can be approached. Surely you remember the appeal for donations for medical treatment in the newspapers. We have to swallow our pride in times like this. all the best, rosdimy

I've heard a lot of sad stories like this. People, especially poor people were dying because they have no money to pay for hospital care. Ironic, but true. If you want to be treated fairly in private hospital you must have money. There are government owned hospitals that cater for the poor. But sometimes, too many sick people are competing for the services. Not good.

Oh, that is so sad man. You should have taken him to a public hospital. Well, they did was against the law. Just because you don't have money they will deny you of your cure. If you really don't have money there's no other choice but to go to a public hospital. Here in the Philippines there's the Philippine General Hospital and Jose Reyes Hospital. They will admit you even if you don't have money to pay. They would give you instructions to whom you can ask for help. Usually they direct you to go to Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, or to some senator's office. The government has funds for those people who are really in need, specially the poor. Have a nice day. Happy posting!!

What happened to your relative is sickening! I was under the assumption that hospitals would allow you to apply for charity care. How could doctors whose job it is to save lives, sit back and allow someone to die because they don't have money to pay for their care? That is really wrong.

It is my understanding that in my country, each hospital is required to treat a patient, regardless of the patient's ability to pay. Of course this means a lot of bills don't get paid. Homeless people are treated, everyone is supposed to get care. They would get into serious trouble here if they ignored someone seeking treatment.

Certain things should not be a business! I understand that money is needed but I am also convinced and some of the answers I read here seem to show me that, that people would be willing to pay a bit more in their taxes ( or in any other way ) to be able to have free care.Health institutions need plenty of money when they want to provide the best care possible, however how much of that needed money is spent in inflated salaries for positions that don't have much to do with health? The director and the assistant to the director and the secretary to the assistant to the director and .... you get my idea. I might be a bit biased here since I don't agree with those huge salaries in the first place ( anywhere, not only healthcare ). I believe that when someone earns more in a year than what they will reasonably need in all their life times, than it should not be acceptable no matter how important the person's job is.But that's my take. I have nothing against high salaries that are reasonable and depend on the more skills, or money spent to study or specific skills, but my view of reasonable is kind of different than what I see. But I'm almost off subject here. Healthcare is expensive, I know that. But maybe if the real focus was more thought of and if it was viewed from a different angle, I am sure there would be a chance for a more fair approach to it. As it is, in most places, it seems more like a flush of extra population. There are plenty of doctor's and many of them dedicated enough to want to make a difference, but they alone can't change it. It comes from the system itself. Then there's greed. Normal human condition. And the result does not look well for human race. I talked in here - recently I think - about how the big pharmaceutical companies seem more geered to find medication that needs to be taken forever as opposed to cures themselves - which makes more sense profit wise of course. It all seems to be linked but in answer to your question: life should be the answer, shouldn't it?

Hi victorywp! I am sorry for you, your family and especially your relative who suffered this much. this thing is not only happening in your country but is also happening in most hospitals here in my country as well. I have been witness to some patients in hospitals who can't afford to buy medicines and therefore been left out without being given the proper care. I have seen patients who were not admitted in the hospital because they don't have nay money to pay the deposit being asked by the hospital. This is a sad fate for all those doctors who have taken an oath to save lives above anything else. I guess, with most of the doctors and hospitals now, their oath is to ask for deposit or money first before saving lives. Very sad and frustrating indeed! Take care and blessings! lovelots..faith

Hospitals are meant to be saving lives and not for the sake of earning money.. If they are so keen on earning money, they should not be a doctor instead.. They are in the wrong profession.. When that's the case, what difference does it make between them and those 'pros' on the streets?? Whereby they see money more important than anything else.. lol =D Though they are in private hospitals, but that does not give them a right to be not saving life when the need arises?? UNless, they only cater to the rich, and so, they might as well be family doctor to those rich ple whom can afford to pay for their 'services'.. lol =D

Hi,Victory,,,I am sorry for your loss..Yes I have heard about this..Yes, I beleive that all they care about now. My daughter need an operation some years back and she did not have the money to pay a doctor so many of the doctors she tried would not even talk to her even her own doctor thad had been her doctor for years..I did not have the money to help her..I was not working and I did not have any money..She finally found a doctor who would help her,Thank God..It is a shame the way doctors and hospitals put money before lives now. They will pay when they face God..I think they should go back and study the oath they took when they became doctors,And do what they swore to do to help people..Now days they have no heart or feelings for sick people even when they are dying..They are only out for the money..Bless you.

Words cannot describe how bad that is,you hear about these things happening but to see someone you love die because of money is beyond redemption,How do these people sleep at night how heartless this has really upset me,at least he knew you were out their trying your best.These people ought to be done for murder,to able to save a life what a wonderful gift,then to leave someone to die in agony .My heart and my love come across the ocean to you to take some of your agony away.xxxxxxx