Appreciation for our health care
My thanks go out to my surgeon, Dr. Lundeen, the anesthesiologist, and the nursing staff at the Duncan hospital, for the expert care I received this past week. Too often we have complaints of how our medical system is failing, and we tend not to appreciate this system until we really need it. A century ago my condition would have meant an early and painful death within a year or less, but was 100 per cent resolved in this case through medical science expertise and thoughtful care.
Despite some organizational problems in our medical system, when the chips are down and you need medical help, our doctors and nurses come through for us. The Canadian medical system is among the best in the world, thanks to people like the late Tommy Douglas who initiated Medicare in Saskatchewan around 1960, and other provinces then quickly picked up on it. Our medical care was established as a fundamental right in Canada during the 1980s, which we should all appreciate. My special thanks go to Dr. Lundeen and all the nursing staff at Duncan hospital that took me smoothly through my medical problem.
Geoff Strong
Cowichan Bay