Today, on International Women’s Day, social media is buzzing with love for the women who raised us. But the reality for some women, especially the elderly, isn’t always as bright as these posts suggest.
A recent incident at Nicosia General Hospital raises serious concerns about care and dignity.
Isn’t it time to change our lives, get rid of negativity, and remember what empathy really means?
An elderly woman was moved from a nursing home to the hospital because she couldn’t get into a private clinic linked to GHS. Private clinics often refuse very elderly patients, leading to her transfer to the public hospital.
We must remember a simple truth: we will all grow old. We will all see wrinkles and need help from others.
This elderly woman had been at Nicosia General Hospital last week too. But due to no available beds, she was placed in a surgical ward for necessary procedures before being sent home. Yesterday, she was brought back to the hospital and this time put in the Medical Department, which was the right place for her. There, according to her family, she faced conditions that were far from dignified.
The elderly woman was bedridden and asked to use a cloth for relief. For hours, it’s claimed she stayed with the soiled cloth until her son intervened. The question is: Is this due to staff shortages or a lack of empathy among some healthcare workers?
And we hope those people will truly be Humans — with a capital H.
The sight of an elderly woman left helpless for hours in a hospital bed doesn’t reflect well on any healthcare system. And maybe today, more than ever, we should remember that the woman we honor is not just a mother or wife. She is also a grandmother. Once a strong woman, mother, sister, and partner. Her dignity should never be up for debate.
