On 27th of Jan, I got up and decided to recharge the empty drinking water can to filled one. Unfortunately I lost the grips and 25 liter water can smashed into the fingure and suddenly blood splashed from the finger, close look showed a deep wound in the little finger.
Blood was peeling out and since I was new to this place, I could not find an doctor at my locality to get it treated. So I decided to get it treated at corporate multispecialty hospital located near my office. I went to the reception and showed the wound, I was directed to emergency causality ward at the basement. I went down and an male nurse / ward boy pored some saline water - he said it is an deep wound and before I can meet the doctor, he started to diagnose, investigate and help in future medications. He said it is very deep, and doctor would advise to undergo an plastic surgery or orthopedic surgeon should investigate. In my mind I thought - was this happened at my native, a local doctor or head nurse would have treated it just by experience and would difnetly told nothing to worry on it.
He took me to the resident doctor, the doctor was playing games in his laptop. He just overlooked at the wound, at the mean time, the ward boy started writing prescription so that I can take an X-ray.
I went upstairs, I made the payment a lady escorted me to the x-ray room, The X ray technician could not interpret the prescription, looking at his difficulty, I explained what happened and requirement of X-ray, based on my description he then took the X-ray. He became friendly and based on my judgement, the x-ray technician suggested to visit local doctor and get treated as it is superficial and will cost me very low. For me finding an local doctor was a difficult task and at the early morning no dispensaries are opened.
There was no treatment provided for the wound, To complete this it took 2 hours.
My seniors from the office, referred to another hospital, I went there and showed the wound - immediately they took at the casualty ward. There wound was treated with some medicine and given TT injection. since the X-ray was already taken they advised to consult orthopedic surgeon.
The Doctor, looked at the wound, & X-ray report advised it needs stitches, I said yes go ahead. However he insisted that some should accompany me, so that he can put an sign and consent ! My initial thought was what this ? just for putting 2 stitches you need consent letter ? The doctor said it’s the procedure in the hospital. Oh ISO certified Hospital !! What rubbish !! however In the mean time I requested one colluege from my office, he came then the deal started.
The doctor started explaining about the wound. He just tried his best to scare me about the wound and insisted that it may require plastic surgery, as already 4 hours have gone. I determinately told the doctor, this is an superficial wound - you can treat it or else I can go to an local MBBS doctor and get treated.
Then came the cost ! The doctor asked did I had Insurance ? I asked him why ? so that he can admit me for a day so that he can treat me so that I have to pay nothing. However I asked how this would cost, the doctor said approximately 25000/- . I said no.
The doctor gave an second option to pay by cash and choose any two packages ? I agreed to pay by cash for the treatment. The doctor said he can treat for Ten Thousand package. I just laughed - a superficial wound treatment costing 10,000? I started bargaining at the end the doctor agreed to treat at 5000/-, I knew I would get the money reimbursed ! But my thought was what about the families, where in the monthly income is 5000/- can they afford ??
I was taken to the operation theater ! made to wear the hospital dress. One helper came and removed my dress - even though I resisted, and said I can do it. There came the response - It’s the Policy.
After 45 minutes of waiting. I finally reached the operation theater, It was similar to what we see in the movie, everything that was required was made ready by the nurses. The doctor came inside with his assistant - wore the gloves and operation theater dress, administered local anesthesia and finally 5 stitches were done. And then I was shifted to the waiting room.
The helper who helped me to remove the dress was not available. As the doctor was passing his time with nurses in the waiting room - I was given another room where I just changed the dress and went home with a big plaster on little finger. He asked me to visit next week for medication!
