So I’m back in the hallowed wards of Zamboanga City Medical Center making up for all those absences I’ve accrued while rotating through my internship. First stop- the home of the insane (as insane as credit cards for bad credit); Ward 9.

I had mixed feelings as I went through my 8 hour shift in this ward awhile ago. On the one hand, I was glad to see my ‘suking customers’ again; the regulars who’ve been there for years now and who entertained us on numerous occasions with their insane (literally) jokes and silly antics.

There was one patient- we call him Jerome (not his real name) who just can’t stop discussing the benefits of a capitalist economy and a socialist one (in fluent English at that!). Or Sharon and Mayet, who can’t seem to stop arguing over who’s the prettiest between them. It was heartening to have them recognize me still (despite their illnesses), with Jerome even recounting how he kept telling me that before that he wasn’t crazy and was just put there by mistake (he now admits that he may have a mental problem).

On the other hand it’s kind of sad that another year has gone by and they’re still institutionalized. Most of them have long since been abandoned by family and friends. And there are new ones too. Like that 14 year old girl who was raped, beaten and left for dead. Her family found her in a catatonic state, blankly staring at the wall. Now, she still still continues to stare blankly into space, has developed Pneumonia and necrotic (rotting) ulcers on her lower back where her tormentors put out their lighted cigarettes.She would need intensive rehabilitation to help her back on her feet. But sadly, the hospital does not have the capacity and the specialists needed to give the attention and care that she needs. There are just too many patients and too little resources. Government spending for the health sector still remains one of the lowest. It’s depressing, I know.

The campaign period is now drawing to a close. In 10 days, we will elect a new president, a new congress, new government officials. When you do, please spare a thought for the patients like Jerome, Sharon, and that 14 year old girl in public hospitals across the country and vote wisely.

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