Ward 7
A world of their own
Hospitals in my opinion, one of the “realest” places to be in or visit here on earth. The reality of life hits you and makes you realize that you are indeed human at the end of day, made of flesh and blood. Out of the gates of a hospital come rejoicing or heartbreaking news,but no matter what you have to be grateful for being able to go about your day without an illness.
In Ghana, the hospitals that commonly pop up are Asylum and Pantang. Mental health is one of the “silent” topics spoken of in the health sector because it comes with a stigma. Some groups or individuals create awareness about it but is it enough?
Truth be told, growing up I’d see mad men and women walking around and become so fearful thinking they will hurt me. But also wonder how they are in their own world that seems normal to them but abnormal to us. The past couple of days, I had the experience of taking a friend’s sister to Pantang for treatment. So many thoughts were going through my mind of what to expect but what I experienced was different.
Driving through the gates, the roads were not tarred but smooth enough to drive and dodge a few potholes. Overgrown bushes covered the sides of the road, blocking some of the buildings. At least there were sign posts showing you where to pass to get to your desired destination.
The whole place was really quiet.
We needed the professional help and we were determined to do all we could to make her feel better. Upon arrival we realized we forgot to bring her card but we informed the “file man” and with just her name, he went through their system and got us her file. We made payment for consultation and her vitals were checked.
I was surprised to see a lot of nurses both male and female sitting, waiting to be called to attend to patients which they now call “clients”. I found out these were students who needed case studies to research on to help with their school work. We joined a queue to see the doctor, mind you the place wasn’t overcrowded, everyone was seated. The only people walking around where nurses, doctors and patients moving from one point to the other.
After vitals have been checked, your name will be called out and you will be told which consulting room number you will be visiting. If you had questions you could easily approach any of the nurses and they received you with a smile. The queue was moving at a good pace and everyone seemed calm just waiting for their turn.
The lights were off but work was still ongoing, the doctor attended to us and the conclusion was her condition was chronic so she needed to be admitted but there was no space. The wards were FULL. Stories of how people have to pay for beds on the floor, buy plastic chairs, be attended to in a car, flashed through my mind but the doctor reassured us once she gets space she will call us to bring her back. She gave us medication and we had one of the students on ground to help find space with the doctor. We were sad but we had faith that someone will be discharged soon and all will be well.
We received a call the next day that some patients had been discharged and there was space. We went through the process of payment, check vitals and see the doctor again. Annoying but that was the order we had to follow.
No extra money was paid to find space, nothing was demanded from the doctor either. The doctor attended to her and made her very comfortable, making her aware of what was going to happen and assured her she will only let her come back home until she is better. We went through the admission process of providing information to social welfare and the psychiatrist unit. Everyone was very welcoming and accommodative.
Ward 7 is a female ward at Pantang and will be her new home for a couple of weeks. The nurses received us warmly and gave instructions on what needed to be provided for her. The place was neat, quiet and well taken care of. Patients who had been admitted were there, I was a bit scared but my mum made it easy to handle. She will hug them and talk to them normally. It was heartbreaking to see them in this state but all we can do is pray that she will soon be home in a healthier state of mind. And I’m grateful for a government health facility that didn’t disappoint in customer service and being professional.
I’m writing this for you to show love and attention to people around you, family, friends , anyone. Each one of us is going through something that may have hurt us terribly or troubles us but it’s not too late to talk about it. Give people your time is more precious than gifts. Below are some encouraging words for you:
Think about things that ultimately lead you to God and the truth, it must be absolute truth alone for you to spend any time at all thinking about it.
Your mind is meant to be a grand place of noble and reverent thinking, it was never meant to be for improper thoughts. Your mind is one of the loveliest parts of your entire personality.
God made your brain to be a place of unmatched excellence and virtue!
Don’t clutter up your brain with low-class thinking or with compromising attitudes. Raise your standard of thinking to that of your Creator.
Your brain should be trained to give standing ovations of appreciation, words of encouragement, and expressions of thanksgiving.
Much Love,
Lady-O
