in Psychiatry Hospital, Room 203
Ife pulled up a phone. And dialed a number.
"Good morning, Prof Chi."
He switched on the loudspeaker.
"Good morning Dr Ife Thomas," replied the CMO.
" Prof, I have a case at hand. It needs your attention...your approval."
"What is the case? Is it urgent? An emergency!"
"Yes Madam. It is urgent. We are about to have the last session with our patient, Jed Heso. The husband is here. He came with Dr Quin Douglas. He wants immediate end of the therapy."
"Give him the phone, please," she said.
There was a brief delay, then some rattling.
"Hello Prof, good morning."
"Dr Douglas, good morning. What is going on?"
"Prof Chi, Mr Heso wants immediate termination of her wife's treatment."
"It's not done anywhere. We can't do that. His wife illness has been our running battle for long. We can't let go now. A lot sleepless nights have gone into it. Dr Thomas said she is responding to treatment. Please allow him to complete the sessions."
"Prof, this is a family decision. You can talk to Mr Heso. He is issuing a legal threat on this matter. Please talk to him."
He handed the phone to Heso.
Then she spoke first.
"Mr Heso, I understand your feelings. You do want your wife back home. Please allow Dr. Ife Thomas to conclude the ongoing examination. This is for her own good. And for the good of this hospital as well."
"No Madam. My family have long concluded to disengage her from the orthodox medicine. We prefer another way. Please discharge her now."
His voice was shaky and cracking. Prof Chi knew time was running out. There was nothing else she could do. It was a private thing. And privacy is the key.
"Okay, Mr Heso. You can't take her home immediately. Please sign the necessary papers. It will take long. Your wife will go home tomorrow morning. I'll tell them to discontinue the therapy."
"Madam, please I am taking her home today."
"Heso, go to out-patient room. I'll call the unit. Start off the documentation. If you complete it on time, take her home then. Please give back the phone to Dr Ife Thomas."
The doctor came on.
"Dr Thomas, put the phone on the speaker for thirty seconds. As I speak, go close to them. Then remove the speaker for further advice."
"It is already on speaker, Prof"
He moved toward Dr Quin Douglas and Heso. Professor Chi began to talk.
"Heso's wife should be discharged today. Make all the necessary papers ready. I'll sign them in the next two hours."
Then Dr Ife Thomas shut down the speakers. Prof Chi soft voice came through.
"Please Ife, examine your patient. Do it when he goes to do his bills. I know you can do it in less time. Please classify her file."
"But Prof, this is against medical ethics."
"Dr Thomas, yes it is. But there something going on here we can't lay our hands on. We should be on to top of game. Please take every risk available. Do the second test before he returns."
"I'll try, " replied Dr Thomas.
No comments:
Post a Comment