Toxic voice and debate

They would feast on the flesh of the dead; thereby leaving their breath and voice toxic.

These are the types who would sink to any level if at the end they could succeed in pandering to the lowest common denominator in public opinion by grasping on to issues that are highly emotive.

Such is the issue that now concerns the challenges facing the Princess Margaret Hospital as it does what it can to address certain problems that have arisen in the dialysis unit.

People sometimes have to be shaken up in order to wake them up.

And so it sometimes is with matters concerning health. Some people only take health seriously when they fall ill.

This is regrettable.

We note also that it is past regrettable that some Bahamians do fall ill with ailments that are very preventable. Some of these like hypertension, diabetes and kidney disease can and do lead to renal failure.

Renal failure can in turn necessitate dialysis, whether hemodialysis or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Put otherwise, healthy kidneys clean your blood by removing excess fluid, minerals, and wastes. They also make hormones that keep your bones strong and your blood healthy.

When your kidneys fail, harmful wastes build up in your body, your blood pressure may rise, and your body may retain excess fluid and not make enough red blood cells. When this happens, you need treatment to replace the work of your failed kidneys.

One form of PD, continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), doesn’t require a machine. As the word ambulatory suggests, you can walk around with the dialysis solution in your abdomen.

For the past few days, we have been doing all that we can to understand what – if anything of any political significance – is happening at the Princess Margaret Hospital.

We are convinced that nothing such is currently the case.

We have learned however that there is some ongoing concern as regards the dialysis unit where speculation is rife concerning the well being of some of the patients.

One or two healthcare specialists say that they are convinced that the problem has to do with something they describe as MRSA (pronounced mursa).

We are told that MRSA stands for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. This type of bacteria causes "staph" infections that are resistant to treatment with usual antibiotics.

We learn also that MRSA occurs most frequently among patients who undergo invasive medical procedures or who have weakened immune systems and are being treated in hospitals and healthcare facilities such as nursing homes and dialysis centers.

And so, MRSA in healthcare settings commonly causes serious and potentially life threatening infections, such as bloodstream infections, surgical site infections, or pneumonia.

Regrettably, some politicians and one or two perennial wannabes are working overtime to pin blame for whatever is happening – MRSA or no MRSA – on someone or the other for the problem in that unit.

To make matters even worse, these same types are trying to pin blame on someone.

We cry shame on each and every one of these unscrupulous vulture-like politicians. They know as well as anyone else that there are times when blame is not what is called for.

Instead, what should be done by those who do not know what they are talking about is for them to shut up, take note and listen.

And then they would learn something.

Now, we are not suggesting – even for a moment – that there should be no debate about the nation’s healthcare delivery systems. Indeed, such a conversation would be most welcomed. Such a reasoned discourse would lead to that point of informed enlightenment where Bahamians would come to realize that when they demand better, they should be prepared to pay more.

These same Bahamians would be well-advised to do more to help themselves to stay well. This can be done by eating properly, exercising and avoiding excess of all kinds.

After that, they should exercise, say their prayers and work hard.

This – surely – is the path to wellness.

The path to illness is also quite well known.

Exercise is the key.

Performing yard work, cleaning your house, regular fast walking, taking the stairs and becoming actively playful with children are just a few activities that can all become initiatives toward becoming more physically active.

So we see that achieving physical fitness begins by understanding the high return on investment you will receive. Being physically active strengthens your heart, makes you less prone to injury, increases your energy level and detoxifies you.

The same principle under girds vigorous and honest debate.

It detoxifies.

This should be treated as a word to the wise concerning all issues germane to the dialysis unit in the Princess Margaret Hospital.