Friday, September 30, 2011

Ana

Guatemalan Trip 1993

Ana was not able to be with us. She was in the hospital. A while ago doctor found a tumor 2mm wide in her brain. She is waiting to have surgery performed. For a couple of months Mario drove Ana every Tuesday and Thursday waiting several hours to see if they would have an empty bed.

Finally two days ago there was a bed. She claimed the bed and is waiting for the surgeon to have an open spot  in his very busy surgery schedule. Mario told us of a woman who waited for a bed and stayed in the hospital for fifteen days and she was sent home because the doctor could not fit her in his schedule.

Mario said, "This is a public hospital. Private hospital would be so expensive that they would not be able to afford it. Brain surgery would cost $10,000.00 US. Same surgery done by same doctor would cost $80.00 US at public hospital. There is no such thing as hospital insurance. Either you have the money and go to private hospital or use a public hospital.