The need to train our young people in the art of pleasantness struck me the other day when I had reason to visit the infamous IGMH – Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Male’.
I went to the hospital to make an appointment for endoscopy. We had to have two laboratory examinations on the same day, so we did the first one and went to get the endoscopy appointment later. When I went to make the appointment I told the staff at the desk, that I would like to have the endoscopy done at the earliest as the doctor had asked to do it this week.
She told me that the appointment can be done only after ten days as the appointments were full. I requested from her to speak to a senior person as it was necessary that the endoscopy is done this week. She then called another young person hanging around, and this person came and asked what it was. The staff at the desk told that I was requesting for the endoscopy to be done urgently.
The senior person took the doctor’s examination request and took a look at it and said that the doctor had not written urgent on it, and that he would have if there was any need. I couldn’t believe my ears. She was talking to the piece of paper she was holding in her hand, and this was supposed to be a place of caring.
I realized that I was at the mercy of this SENIOR person who did not have the interest no the capacity to even listen to someone in need. So, I humbly sat and asked the person at the desk to do the appointment for the date that was possible.
When it was done and I was to leave, I told the staff at the appointment desk that everyone may not make up stories and lie. I left.
I thought, how nice it would have been if there was someone who was capable of listening to those in need and even when something cannot be done is able to communicate the same with an ounce of respect.
We have a long way to go, IGMH.
Previous posts about IGMH:
New CEO at IGMH
Intensive Care Unit: IGMH
Smile and Let Smile 