In response...
When a medical emergency happens in any household, it is only natural that we rush the person to the nearest clinic/polyclinic or family doctor. Based on the treatment or recommendation of the doctor, we diligently follow verbatim.
We followed the instructions of the lady neighborhood doctor who after failing to treat June to go to TTSH….
The unnecessary long wait at the A & E to be admitted/warded was senseless….
As June was being treated, YES, we were informed of procedures. When she was in ICU, YES we were informed, when medication was given to her, YES, we were informed, when her condition worsen, YES, we were informed, when she took a turn for the worst, YES, we were TOLD to prepare for the worse. At the end of the day, we are not medically trained,… being informed of pre/post procedures helps BUT THROUGHOUT, we were NOT TOLD that June was suffering from Stevens Johnson Syndrome. In fact, I told them about it after searching medical journals on the internet.
Upon knowing that June had Stevens Johnson Syndrome, I wonder what the doctors tried doing to treat her condition. Being such a RARE condition, I would question the limited experience of the young doctors who were trying and experimenting with June’s life. I wonder (if any) what form of consultation took place with overseas doctors regarding this rarity of medical conditions…. And if proven that they did not, is it not irresponsible,… to the point of being negligent.
Well, we have complied with SMC’s requirement to indicate/include the names of the doctors who treated June in a formal complain before they investigate the case…..
Lets hope that they perform their task professionally, with propriety, without fear or favor……
posted by alex @ 9:20 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
Alex,
I admire your courage on taking on the medical system in Singapore. Regardless of how it turns out, you are one of the few brave ones that are willing, and dare to speak out. It might not change overnight, but in time, it will change. So kudos to you.
When I was 12 years old, I fractured my wrist in school. I was taken to then Toa Payoh hospital A&E for treatment. Today, I realise that the x-ray showed that my wrist was not only fractured, but the bone was curved. But what did I know as a 12 year old? My uneducated mother did not know any better either. I trusted the doctors. They just plastered up my arm for a month.
One year later, I broke the same wrist from a very benign fall. I went back to the same hospital. After an injection, one doctor held me down, while the 3 other doctors (or interns?) pulled and tried to adjust the broken wrist so that the bones come together. It took 3 attempts with X-rays in between.
Today, my wrist is permanently twisted. When someone passes me coins, I cannot use that hand because the coins will fall off as I am unable to hold my hand flat. Luckily, I have learnt to live with the wrist and it has not become a hindrance to my work, which is physical in nature.
The system has ingrained into us the "instinct" to trust authority, instead of educating ourselves, asking for more information, and taking the necessary precautions so that no one is pulling a fast one on us.
Even if you fail to change the system, or have the doctors indicted, your efforts will not have been wasted. What Singaporeans need is to increase their awareness of such things, and I think you would have contributed greatly to that.
Though this was years ago, just in case, south east asians with certain genetic background are especially susceptible to SJS/TEN. Since you have one example in the family, perhaps you would want to be careful next time when you all have to take certain medications.
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