An Open Letter to the Nurse in Sarawak Who Mistreated My 80-Year-Old Grandaunt

Note: This is a contribution from a fellow WOB reader. Such pieces are strictly the writer’s personal opinion/view. WOB does not necessarily endorse the opinions or views.

My 80-year-old grandaunt had one of her legs amputated at one of the government hospitals in Sarawak about 3 months ago. Since then, the hospital became her second home due to her poor health. She is a very brave woman who has been through a lot but when I paid her a visit this morning, I quickly sensed something was wrong – her mental health is apparently deteriorating. I tried to get her to speak the truth and after some time, she told me about some of the good and bad times she had at that hospital.

Recently, she was mistreated by one of the nurses. When it was time for them to bath my grandaunt who obviously has mobility issues, this particular nurse rudely instructed the other nurse to change her diapers, then said sarcastically “Sapa suruh sik pande jalan sendiri gi tandas tok”.

Dear YOU, the patient in front of you is an 80 year-old amputee who is fighting for her life. She is struggling very hard to keep her other leg which is currently infected as well. She couldn’t even sit up on her own, what more to say stand up and walk? She has gone through so much. Why do you have to make her life even more miserable? When I talked to her over the phone after her first surgery, I could tell from her voice that she was pretty optimistic. You don’t have to behave so poorly in front of a patient who had just lost a leg. Being an amputee is never easy. My grandaunt is very depressed after this incident. She felt useless. Is this what a nurse’s responsibility is all about – to make patients feel terrible about themselves or to expect them to heal miraculously?

Young or old, poor or rich, educated or illiterate, all patients have their rights to be treated properly and with care by any healthcare team. As a future clinician, I do not wish to work alongside nurses who make my patients feel threatened and uncertain about their health. Just so you know, not only Sarawakians understand bahasa Sarawak. Miak semenanjung faham juak. Don’t ever think that old people can’t understand a word you say.

Be thankful that you still have a job. Please treat our elders with respect and care for them like how they care for younger people like us. They do not want to be sick either. Please make them feel loved because only God knows how long they have left. I grew up among elderly people and it hurts me so much to write this.

Sincerely,
Sam

Also read: An Open Letter to the Average 20-Something Living in Kuala Lumpur