Everyone has the right to emergency care…but that’s possibly where it ends.

Recently I took a patient to Nairobi, his home country, to receiving ongoing care for a healthcare condition.
I was fortunate enough to gain some insight in to their hospitals and healthcare system whilst there.
It seems everyone there has the right to emergency care. But any further ongoing treatment is a no go unless you have insurance. And when that insurance runs out, it runs out. And this is the case in many countries worldwide.
To residents of the UK, it seems unimaginable for someone to be unwell and not gain immediate care.
In fact, us Brits moan constantly about the wait times on the NHS, the administration or the conditions on the wards (I.e – you have to pay for the television?!)
Yet, Imagine if you had chronic pain and needed a hip replacement. Rather than waiting 6-12 months as you may in the UK, you may be waiting until you win the lottery (and note-not many people actually win the lottery.)
Imagine having cancer and knowing that your condition was treatable. Only you couldn’t afford that treatment.
I do get frustrated when people are so dissatisfied with the NHS. It is definitely not a perfect system and lots about it does frustrate me. However, we are so lucky to have it and and should do all we can to cherish it.
#health #healthcare #life #nhs NHS England Public Health England #wellness #airambulance