I thought of Kevin George Ellis the other night and the abysmal way MSA Hospital treated this dying man (see tribute to the fallen http://www.somethingcool.ca/backissues/073106). Even worse than the way they treated Kevin is the fact that they continue to deliver substandard health care to the homeless putting their lives at risk. And, in the case I am thinking of, perhaps putting the health of the general public at risk.

One of the members of the homeless community has staff infection. The hospital gave him medication and sent him on his way – knowing he was homeless. I am not a doctor but from all the reports I have read of staff infection outbreaks in hospitals it sounds extremely infectious and easy to pass along. Now X is considerate enough that he warns people of his infection rather than trying to hide it. One could wish the medical professionals in Abbotsford had such ethical behaviour.

X also understands why, especially in the vastly overcrowded conditions caused by this life threatening weather he should not be in the Shelter. What I, and others, do not understand is why he is not in the hospital until he is fully well. Instead he is walking around the city leaving a trail of staff germs behind to infect unknowing members of the public. At the very least this would seem to be very questionable public health behaviour. Given the severe weather outside it is definitely a humanitarian issue. Just how many more unfortunates will the hospital contribute to the death of? How many dead will it take until the Fraser Valley Health Authority shows leadership and insists that MSA fulfill its purpose and deliver good healthcare to ALL suffering illness?