Madzoun vs. Macrobid
It seems Onnik Krikorian referenced my last blog about my health recovery on his own at http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2006/10/25/notes-from-the-armenian-blogosphere-24/#comments
Another fellow blogger commented on his blog and I'd like to respond. He said to go to another hospital. I went to the hospital recommended by everyone: Markarian on Mashtots. I spoke to a couple people there who were very helpful, but the nurse who came to my house to draw blood and yelled at me for wasting her time (even though I paid her) came from there. The sonogram experience took place there as well. Behavior aside, when blood tests come back and say different things, who do you believe? I got a completely false test result and thus an unproductive diagnosys from the doctor. By the way, I wanted to take Advil to reduce my fever and the doctor sorta laughed at me and said, "Oh, all you Americans love your Advil. Don't take Advil, I'll recommend antibiotics that will work." It didn't work. I didn't get better. The second I spoke to my father on the phone for 5 minutes describing my condition, he said to take Advil. It worked. As he says, most of his work is listening to the patient. You could recommend Madzoun to improve my fever, or you could do the proper tests to prescribe the proper antibiotic to combat the infection causing the fevers in the first place. That's the difference.
Now this is my situation as a Diasporan in Armenia. Since I am fine now with the fortune of US medical attention, I'm not worried about myself. This is more an issue of proper care for the citizens of Armenia. I am an economy loving capitalist when it comes to business and competition. It's been a positive change in Armenia. But I will forever believe that proper health care for all people regardless of their life situation should be available to them no matter what. Call me a socialist, but it's one of the problems I have with the US system. Even if a lazy villager complains that they have to work and contributes nothing to the world, they should still have access to medical attention if their limb is falling off. Laziness or complaining is not a reason to deny medical attention to someone.
As for doing something about the problem, I am not a doctor. But my father is, along with all his friends who decided to start an organization that sends medical supplies to Armenia while training doctors and funding clinics there. This concern is not coming from nothing, my family is trying to do something about it. But beyond what they are capable of, one of the most important things to do is to inform the world of the problem. If the world doesn't know what's going on there, how do they know to address the problem at all? From this experience, many people have asked me about the system there. Interest has been sparked.
I'm not one to settle for low standards, even normal standards. If one Armenian gets improper treatment, the problem should be addressed.
Another fellow blogger commented on his blog and I'd like to respond. He said to go to another hospital. I went to the hospital recommended by everyone: Markarian on Mashtots. I spoke to a couple people there who were very helpful, but the nurse who came to my house to draw blood and yelled at me for wasting her time (even though I paid her) came from there. The sonogram experience took place there as well. Behavior aside, when blood tests come back and say different things, who do you believe? I got a completely false test result and thus an unproductive diagnosys from the doctor. By the way, I wanted to take Advil to reduce my fever and the doctor sorta laughed at me and said, "Oh, all you Americans love your Advil. Don't take Advil, I'll recommend antibiotics that will work." It didn't work. I didn't get better. The second I spoke to my father on the phone for 5 minutes describing my condition, he said to take Advil. It worked. As he says, most of his work is listening to the patient. You could recommend Madzoun to improve my fever, or you could do the proper tests to prescribe the proper antibiotic to combat the infection causing the fevers in the first place. That's the difference.
Now this is my situation as a Diasporan in Armenia. Since I am fine now with the fortune of US medical attention, I'm not worried about myself. This is more an issue of proper care for the citizens of Armenia. I am an economy loving capitalist when it comes to business and competition. It's been a positive change in Armenia. But I will forever believe that proper health care for all people regardless of their life situation should be available to them no matter what. Call me a socialist, but it's one of the problems I have with the US system. Even if a lazy villager complains that they have to work and contributes nothing to the world, they should still have access to medical attention if their limb is falling off. Laziness or complaining is not a reason to deny medical attention to someone.
As for doing something about the problem, I am not a doctor. But my father is, along with all his friends who decided to start an organization that sends medical supplies to Armenia while training doctors and funding clinics there. This concern is not coming from nothing, my family is trying to do something about it. But beyond what they are capable of, one of the most important things to do is to inform the world of the problem. If the world doesn't know what's going on there, how do they know to address the problem at all? From this experience, many people have asked me about the system there. Interest has been sparked.
I'm not one to settle for low standards, even normal standards. If one Armenian gets improper treatment, the problem should be addressed.
posted by Arsineh at 11:22 PM
15 Comments:
So madzoun is the armenian equivalent of chicken soup. It's one of the few armenian words I know. When I was growing up (in the US) not only did nobody know what madzoun was (of course) but neither had anyone ever heard of "yogurt." I knew becuase we ate it at home, my grandmother made it from culture as she'd done in "the old country." The first time I saw it for sale mainstream was 1969. It was being introduced by a foreign company (Dannon, french). Adulterated with, of all things, fruit and plenty of sugar! That did the trick and now everybody knows what yogurt is. They're still unsure about madzoun however. To your health.
Every time I visit an Armenian Hospital (and being a hopeless optimist insitde), I hope, that this time at least everytning will be allright.
Every time I leave the hospital frustrated, thinking, that our doctors are not only lazy and incompetent, but also - they definately deserve their law wage and the humiliating status of bribe-cravers...
I really feel so sorry about your situation. It is so familiar to me. Me as well as my brother are victims of Armenian medical system. It is as crappy as never. And the doctors never come to one and the same conclusion. I will post more on my blog later.
Why don't you raise your concerns with the fellow member of ARF, health minister Norayr Davidyants. Your party has controlled the Armenian health ministry for more than 3 years but has done little to weed out healthcare corruption and incompetence...
Thanks Arsineh for the post, and thanks to Zarchka for telling her own story on her blog here.
hrant, don't get your panties in a bunch. and yes, 10 years before this guy, it was in the hand of someone you liked, so take a chill pill, or did the last health minister not give you one?
You're a capitalist when you want to make a profit and then you're a socialist when you want good medical care. Please make up you're mind!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Unbridled capitalism in a state like Armenia is just that - another manifestation of state capitalism since the business sector and the political are in bed with one another.
What percentage of Armenians have any discretionary capital at all to invest.. The big players have monopolized the economy leaving 90% of the populace to become either wage earners or the underemployed. Only a handful have risen out of this situation to become shop owners or petty bourgeoisie.
The state, rather than subsidizing the health system, prefers to subsidize construction and other development projects, from which to make a profit.
Anonymous, your point is?
Anyway, I actually agree with Arsineh on the two-pronged approach -- competition for business, a conscience for the social sector.
Unfortunately, however, what we have here in Armenia is ersatz capitalism which has resulted in the budget being unable to cope.
There are many other issues as well such as the rule of law, democracy, community-involvement in local government, and all the rest of it...
However, what we need is people like Arsineh speaking out from time to time so we can see whether reform is happening, and if it is, if it's happening smoothly.
And so on...
The quality of healthcare in Armenia is a serious and crucial issue affecting everyone--locals and non-locals alike. People in the country do get ill, and some seriously, including visitors, and so it is essential to have well-prepared, respectful and compassionate medical personnel. Money or the lack of it has nothing to do with the absence of compassion and respect for the sick, no matter who they are, whether they are rich or poor or somewhere in between. Medications that are sold at the pharmacies are not always of the quality one thinks they are. Some antibiotics and other types of medications are of good quality, but others are not, and when they're not (speaking from numerous experiences) it can cause extremely serious, life-threatening complications. Yes, money buys much, but it cannot buy life.
Arsineh, glad to hear you are well. Rather than go on about heatlth care, or lack of in Armenia, I wanted to ask you if you have read the article of the 11 year old boy living in poor conditions in Abovyan, who studies hard and who's mother died and who's father is about to die of cancer and who's dream it is to become a doctor in Armenia. He is an A grade student and says “I will become a doctor...". After his father dies, he will have to look after himself. The article is at armenianow.com.
Geesh, bedside manner and affordability is one thing, but not being able to even diagnose Ecoli is frightening. What would have happened if a trip to the US wasn't on the agenda. I'm glad things are looking up for you.
Does anyone have the scoop on the Polyclinic in Stepanakert? Standards were being set very high for the outpatient center...hopefully it has been able to deliver.
I have not read the article, but I will take a look. I wish him a successful future for his sake and for everyone else's here.
Artashes, you are right, I am moderating my comments. You want to know what I didn't like about your last comment? It had nothing to do with what you said about medical care. Rather you blamed the Diaspora for the medical problem, and said it was what supported Kocharian, and I do not accept either of these as even nearly reasonable statement. Then for you to go on and despite your disclaimer insult one of the bloggers???
Yeah right I'm gonna let that through...
Stick to the subject and try not to make sweeping untrue generalizations, and DEFINITELY don't even insinuate an insult at one of the bloggers.
Raffi,
My free advice to you: if you consider yourself a moderator, the stuff below should not have showed up on your blog. This is really disrespectful and inappropriate, and NOT my comments.
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hrant, don't get your panties in a bunch. and yes, 10 years before this guy, it was in the hand of someone you liked, so take a chill pill, or did the last health minister not give you one?
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My "sweeping generalizations" are none of your business. Let the readers dismiss or embrace them for whatever merit or non-merit they present.
You are simply abusing your powers of the moderator and assuming to be a CENSOR!! A big difference, if you didn't know!
I am done trying to talk sense to you. You obviously will not change your insecure behavior. Good bye!
Well I see a big difference between telling a commenter to calm down and comparing a blogger to someone "pathetic", even if you don't.
I can't pretend to make everybody happy, and I think you'd be surprised how difficult and unenjoyable moderating is.
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