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We have a Social Worker starting on Monday, the aim being to help and support patients but specifically in their ability to pay their fees.  It is a really difficult, and emotive subject.  In Haiti healthcare is really only available to those that can afford it.  Yes there is a healthcare system of sorts here, but the quality is low, and the availability scarce.  In the UK the per capita spend on healthcare is more than £3,000 per annum; in Haiti it is less than $10 USD.  This is not entirely reflective of an uncaring government – though Haiti is in the top 15 of most corrupt countries.  For decades, more than a century in fact, Haiti has been reliant on foreign aid and a big element of that is healthcare.  There are, or were before Covid-19, charities falling over themselves to provide such services, so it is not surprising that the limited funds that do get through the government and to the people are not prioritised to health.   Our social worker is actually there to help the hospital too, the sooner we realise a patient cannot pay the sooner we can consider (and agree?) and provide an ‘exoneration’ for them, it also makes their stay in hospital slightly less stressful.  However we also have to consider the sustainability of the hospital; if we get a reputation as a ‘soft touch’ then we will be out of business and so help no-one.  Its harsh on the individuals, but supports the greater good…

Finally I finished my Nativity.  OK I did cheat and bring the characters, but the rest is handcrafted from scraps of wood scavenged from around the hospital, making it all the more satisfying!

We finish the week with a cheeky beer down at ‘notSpoons’; its needs a better name doesn’t it?