Salomy C.
Disappointing experience at Northern Central Hospital
I want to express my profound disappointment with my experience at Northern Central Hospital while seeking clarification for my sister, who is six months pregnant and under Dr. J. Kajendran’s care. My sister has a medical complication that requires hospital admission and iron injections, so I went in for a professional consultation to ensure her treatment was progressing correctly. Upon arrival, the clinical assistant instructed me to pay the appointment fee of Rs. 2800. I complied, received appointment number 20, and waited for two hours. When my turn finally came, I was unexpectedly informed that the appointment was cancelled because the doctor does not see private clinic patients who are admitted to the General Hospital. While I understand that doctors have busy schedules, I believe it’s important to address some ethical and logical issues here: The Value of Time - Just as a doctor's time is precious, so is the public's time. I had set aside significant professional commitments, including a Zoom meeting and a scheduled class, to prioritize this medical inquiry. Losing two hours due to an administrative error is not just a minor inconvenience; it represents a loss of resources and productivity. The Necessity of Early Screening - If a doctor has specific criteria for whom they will see, this should be communicated at the first point of contact. Allowing someone to pay and then wait for hours before checking eligibility is a clear failure of basic hospital administration. Mental and Emotional Toll - Managing a high-risk pregnancy is already a stressful time for families. Being misled and then dismissed after a long wait adds unnecessary mental strain and exhaustion to an already tough situation. Ethics Over Infrastructure - A hospital may grow in size and reputation, but its true value lies in how it treats its patients. "Valuing the person" should take precedence over expanding the building. We are all human beings with responsibilities, and a medical institution should embody empathy, not just transactions. I was able to get my money back, but I can't recover my time, lost work, or the peace of mind I lost today. I'm sharing this not to damage anyone's reputation, but as a heartfelt request for the hospital and its staff to rethink their protocols. Please value the people you serve.
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