Barriers to cataract surgery by Indigenous People
- Waiting lists: Long allocation and influx of oncoming patients.
- Cost: Public hospital provides free surgery, But other cost such as transportation, food and travel time is a loss.
- Distance and transport: uptake of cataract surgery is lower in rural and remote areas than in urban areas. Our public healthcare doesn’t pay for transport expenses.
- Communication: Language Difference
- Family influence: fear of surgery may be a barrier towards cataract sufferers. It may also well depend on the dominant member of the family to make the decision.
- Community influence: Some recurrence of the cataract after surgery may give the impression towards the community. Or seeing someone going blind after an unsuccessful surgery also adds to the fear.
- Culture and belief: Some may say that the disease is caused by supernatural means. They believe that God wants them to go blind.
- “There is no need”: since cataracts grow slowly. People adapt and manage despite poor vision and literally to do not see the need for surgery.
- Fear: fear - of the operation, a poor outcome, that a real check-up will show a real problem and fear of death - is a significant barrier to surgery.
Private Sector Cataract Surgery
Mid Valley ISEC Shd. Bhd. – One Eye RM3800
Sime Darby Medical Centre – One Eye RM4000>
No comments:
Post a Comment