Fate of the Poor

"I hope my 2 young kids will be strong after I'm gone. Without the vital surgery, my days are numbered. Where would I find the money? I'm just a housewife and my husband can barely make ends meet. Social welfare can't help me as I am only a PR here. My children will have to watch me fade away before their very own eyes."

In the next bed, an elderly gentleman was patiently cleansing his unconscious wife's body with a damp towel; her shrivelled upper half form laid exposed barely hidden by the portable screen, which he had wheeled there himself in an effort to produce some form of privacy and to maintain his wife's dignity. The screen was so small that it could only envelope a quarter of the lower half of the bed, shielding them from privy eyes only from the front but failed miserably in its function if viewed from the side. Nevertheless he patiently continues with this routine a few times in a day, optimising his surroundings and keeping his wife as comfortable as possible.

Across the cubicle, a breathless middle-aged woman who was sitting crossed-leg on a mattress on the floor propped in the small space between opposite ends of four beds, was furiously wiping away her sweat. Although the fans were on full blast, the midday heat was clearly too much to bear for the 70 odd (and increasing as seen by the number of people waiting at the entrance) inhabitants of an amenity ideally designed for less than 40. More mattresses were quickly laid out on the floor to accommodate the new residents...

Lunch was a small serving of rice, boiled vegetables, boiled fish, all sans salt and sugar, and a slice of papaya. Does nutritious and balanced meals equate bland and unpalatable food?

In contrast, those who could afford it will be placed in a bed space with slightly better conditions that offers the opportunity to select their own meals preferences. And if they have more to spend, an air-conditioned space, a 2-bedded or even a private room is possible instead of the 'military barracks'. Yes, the cost of running these different stars facilities within the same institution does reflect the decision on whether to book someone with a business, first or economy class bed.

However an idealist me is wondering why some mercy can't be awarded to some of the unfortunate in terms of monetary assets by upgrading the economy to super economy class, or even better, if and when there are more than enough empty beds in the latter? Sure enough, it will not make any economic sense but if the facilities are already readily available, and that they only lack 'tenants', can we at least consider to 'subsidise the upgrade' of the chronically ill especially the elderly? Should there be a demand in these bed spaces later on, those who were previously upgraded could maybe be downgraded again until further opportunity arises.

I know it is easier said than done especially with all the beauracracy and protocol hurdles to consider. It's ironic that although I view them as 'underprivileged' in terms of equality, most adapt and cope with their situations very well. Not only do they not complain, but they expressed gratitude to the availabity of free / minimal fee care in times of need. This is starkly different with some of those in private setting who PAY to be rude and treat staff as their personal servants.