There are calls for the Health Ministry to transfer personnel who violated the National Hospital’s code of ethics.
National Member of Parliament MP Bendita Magno said those who insulted patients or treated them badly were not worthy to work as health employees.
“Those who have a bad attitude and treat the patients roughly must be transferred and then we can employ other people who can provide good treatment to people,” said Magno at the National Parliament, Dili.
She said there was discrimination within the health system and that government officials received preferential treatment.
Meanwhile, MP Maria Rosa da Camara said she was disappointed with the level of health services.
“I was insulted when I looked for information for a check-up,” she said.
She said that when she arrived at the hospital for a check-up on March 12, she was initially told by reception to go to room 11.
However, she was then asked to go to room no. 1 to register, but staff were unable to do so because she was late.
She said that while talking with health personal in room 1, they insulted her and spoke rudely.
“They asked me, ‘why are you standing here, why don’t you go for a check-up?’” she said.
After her experience Camara contacted the Health Ministry and requested that the staff in question be transferred for breaking the hospital’s ethics code.
“The patients come to the hospital to save their life not to end their life and they should be treated properly,” she said.
In response to this issue, the hospital’s General Director Dr José Antonio offered his apologies to Camara and other patients for the attitude of some health personnel.
He said staff were often overworked and for this reason weren’t always able to control their behavior.
“They do that because they must attend many people that is why they use impolite language and I apologize,” he said.
He added, they have made efforts to improve patient services particularly by providing health personnel with training about the ethics code.
“It is about people’s character and it takes time to change it, but we need to remind them often,” he said.
He said the hospital planned to look into the issue further before making a decision on whether staff should be transferred or not.
