NEW! 
Encouraging our own!
Published in the weekly column in Österbotten's Tidning, Karleby May 2009
also available In Swedish:
As a journalist I would like to thank the Hospital and Social Services System in Finland, and its fine team of doctors and surgeons; its supportive nursing staff, down to the efficient housecleaning workers, for all they did to make my stay in hospital recently, a memorable and comfortable one. They attended to every need, often without my asking and were just exceptional to say the least.
Often one does not think about these things when we live in our own country. We might tend to take some things for granted. But my recent situation made me reflect on the benefits that Finland offers its own. So many in other countries are needing immediate medical attention but are often going without it; pushed to the back of the waiting list and or left to deal with their health issues, if they are able financially, through private doctors and private medical insurance companies.
The Hospital Food Department in our area of the country I can say, always delivered every meal, hot, and it was always fresh and to the highest standards. I mention this likewise as recently before my surgery I was in the States visiting my 90 year old dad who had fallen, broken his back and had to have surgery. He was eventually transferred to a First Class Nursing Home, which was really like a 5 star hotel and I was pleased for him. He deserves the best.
Shortly after he was transferred from the hospital to this long-care facility however, because his insurance provision diminished, it meant that he had to be moved to a less than desirable accommodation in another facility. While visiting him at this new place, I was appalled by many things, but in particular at the food that was served their senior citizens... One day for "dinner" my beloved father was served a chili hot dog of all things?! I could not believe my eyes to think that any establishment that was there to provide medical support and to help patients get well, would even have such a nutritionless meal for them?
When I think of the healthy and always fresh food that was from morning till night, served to me here in hospital, and I then think of what my precious father was served daily (and the other meals were just as depressing to see), I felt "guilty" to eat my own meals and wanted to exchange my place here, so that my dad, who more than deserves the best attention and care at his age, could have proper supervision and and be nourished properly...
Here in Finland, over the decades, whenever I have had to go to hospital or to the Hälsovårdscentralen, I have always been treated with respect and given the best attention ever and this is not private service that I am writing about today, but provided to all citizens of this great land.
I think America and other countries like France, etc, stand a lot to learn from how citizens are given good health care here. Hopefully Obama and those that will follow him in the States, will quickly (I pray!), to do that they can to see that this long overdue change comes there as well as to other countries who are not provided such service for any human being...
So thank you again Finland! High praise to our wonderful medical system and how you look after us all, who are born and raised here, permanent residents, refugees, all who are in need of any kind of medical attention.
As it is said when we return home to Finland after a trip abroad: "Borta bra, men hemma bäst!"
Christian-Charles de Plicque, Karlebybor =(Resident of Karleby)
Missionär/Jounalist
