The reason I’m writing today is to inform you that the money you sent has been used with great satisfaction, and I hope you can share in the happiness together.
The recipient named “Somjai”
I received a report from Dr. Ming, my student, that there was a patient with an unplanned pregnancy who ended up in the wrong place, or you could say she got lost. Her pregnancy was about 7 weeks along. The hospital in the big province where she lived had several obstetricians, but none could perform an abortion for her. So, they recommended she receive services at Hat Yai Hospital.
But there you go, I think she got lost. She told the driver to stop in front of my hospital because she thought this was Hat Yai Hospital. Well, PSU is in Hat Yai, after all.
“What kind of birth control would you like?” I opened the conversation this way because Somjai had already talked a lot with my student.
“I’ll get an injection for now, and then I’ll use my right to get sterilized at the hospital near my home. Please don’t blame me, doctor. At first, I thought this was Hat Yai Hospital, and now how will I use my treatment rights? I definitely didn’t bring enough money, doctor,” she opened the conversation with me like this, without paying attention to my question. That might be because she was probably continuing the conversation about treatment rights.
“Forget about those rights for now. Focus on yourself. Now that you’re here, you’re our patient. Even if you don’t have money, we’ll treat you. Stay calm.” Speaking of rights, I must say it frustrates me. It causes many of our seriously ill patients to fall out of the system. The rights are over there; they have to get the implant over there. We’ve lost many people this way, and then they come back pregnant again.
“The abortion medication here is provided free by the government, and we’ll take care of the birth control. If you don’t have money, you don’t have to pay.” It sounds like I’m rich, but believe me, I have my own money. However, in this process of helping patients, I have a fund at the Songklanagarind Hospital Foundation. It’s nicknamed the “Thanapan Indigent Fund.” People have donated money for me to use for the poor, and the donations have reached millions…
I’ve told you before, our patient care system is based on basic rights. The government pays for the treatment, but in some cases, the rights are invisible, like living expenses during treatment, travel expenses, and other costs like water and electricity bills. You have to rent a house, pay for food and alcohol, and what’s left? What will you do at the end of the month when they stop hiring you?
Wait a minute, that’s a song lyric!
Some people might know what the song is called and who sings it, but you have to be of a certain age, haha.
…
“May I ask a personal question? How much is your family’s income right now?”
“Almost ten thousand, doctor. My partner is the only one working, and I’m unemployed. Last year, the flood reached the roof of our house, and we haven’t received a single baht of relief money.” Do you remember the news about the major flood in the southern region late last year?
“What grade is your eldest child in?” I learned that she has three children.
“The eldest is a special needs child, doctor. He has an intellectual disability and is currently in a boarding school with no expenses; the state covers it. The other two are in first grade and kindergarten.”
“And with only this much money per month, do your children get breakfast before going to school every day?” I was secretly worried because, in my house, the children must have breakfast before going to school every day.
“Yes, they do, doctor. We cook for ourselves, so we don’t spend much money.” By now, her tears were falling. Dr. Ming, my student, was quick to hand her a tissue.
“And how much money do you have with you today?” I’m working, not extorting money from the patient.
She took out her wallet, unzipped it, and took out the folded money to count. My eyes were quick enough to see roughly that there were two thousand and sixty baht, and the rest were various papers.
“I’ve been using birth control all along, doctor. We only didn’t use condoms twice, and I still got pregnant. I’m really sorry,” she continued to sob.
“Calm down, don’t cry. I’m weak against women’s tears,” I told her.
“But I’m really sorry, doctor. I didn’t want it to be like this, but there’s really no money.”
I let the silence work for a while. Being able to lament and have someone listen, being able to cry a little, might help ease the suffering a bit.
“We have money for you too, for travel and short-term living expenses. How much do you think we should give you?” I asked. I told you, I’m rich.
I’m rich, rich in spirit.
“A hundred is enough, doctor.”
“Oh, come on, Somjai, sometimes you don’t have to be too modest.” I walked over to massage Somjai’s shoulders. It’s a style of patient care by Thanapan.
Believe me, having taken care of patients throughout my medical career, the poor are really like this. They only need this much.
“1. For the cost of the contraceptive implant and the implantation fee, use money from the Thanapan Indigent Fund. 2. Please withdraw money for the patient’s living expenses, another 3,000 baht, using the same fund.” I wrote and signed the benefits form for them to handle it accordingly.
She continued to thank me while crying.
“Do you know, it’s not my money. People donated it, and by using this charitable money, the donors will receive the merit. I’m just a bridge, not my money. And another person you should thank is this doctor,” I pointed to my student. “If he didn’t care about you, he wouldn’t have called me down to see you. Believe it.”
…
Did you finish reading?
The reason I’m writing today is to inform you that the money you sent has been used with great satisfaction, and I hope you can share in the happiness together.
The recipient named “Somjai,” who is not satisfied with life.
As for the givers, there are many, too many to name. Thank you deeply.
And the one who gets the credit is M E! Ta-da!
Thanapan Choobun, rich in spirit
February 28, 67
Source: Asst. Prof. Dr. Thanapan Choobun https://facebook.com/thanapan.choobun