http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/09/world/europe/09bribery.html?hp
I know that gift-giving etiquette has been an old tradition in countries like Romania, and when i read the article published in the NYtimes, i was utterly shocked to say the least. That article has revealed that gift-giving is in fact almost compulsory in the healthcare system of Romania. In a more straighforward way, doctors, nurses and the orderlies expect themsevles to be 'bribed' in exchange of their care and attention.
Bribery has become a norm in the Romanian healthcare sector, and they blamed it on the meager salary of about $510 for doctors. Well, that is undeniably low, but corruption at the cost of one's life is not a solution at all. The code of ethics is no longer making sense anymore with such thing happening. They work not for the passion of the work, rather, for the 'supplementary incomes' they are expecting to receive from their patients. Such healthcare professionals should not be deemed professional afterall.
For a moment, it hit me thinking. man, how lucky we malaysians are to receive equitable healthcare service from the government hospitals. There is no rule that says the poor are denied of medical care, (nor is there any that prevents the rich from enjoying the public healthcare services).
I know that gift-giving etiquette has been an old tradition in countries like Romania, and when i read the article published in the NYtimes, i was utterly shocked to say the least. That article has revealed that gift-giving is in fact almost compulsory in the healthcare system of Romania. In a more straighforward way, doctors, nurses and the orderlies expect themsevles to be 'bribed' in exchange of their care and attention.
Bribery has become a norm in the Romanian healthcare sector, and they blamed it on the meager salary of about $510 for doctors. Well, that is undeniably low, but corruption at the cost of one's life is not a solution at all. The code of ethics is no longer making sense anymore with such thing happening. They work not for the passion of the work, rather, for the 'supplementary incomes' they are expecting to receive from their patients. Such healthcare professionals should not be deemed professional afterall.
For a moment, it hit me thinking. man, how lucky we malaysians are to receive equitable healthcare service from the government hospitals. There is no rule that says the poor are denied of medical care, (nor is there any that prevents the rich from enjoying the public healthcare services).
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