{no hippa here}

i went with a nanny to take a baby girl to the hospital this morning. the hospital experience goes something like this: pay at the window before seeing doctor or obtaining any procedure. then walk to appropriate area and be aggressive enough to actually be seen (lots of people everywhere, with no obvious system for being called upon). i'm pretty sure the nanny played the "i've got a foreigner with me" card; "you should accommodate us immediately". 

pediatric physical therapy--

was excited to see this area in the hospital (while we were waiting for services), as i thought i had been told it didn't exist. but quickly observed some practices that nearly horrified me. infants (all <1 yo) getting aggressively massaged, tapped(?) and/or hooked up to electrical stimulation.

it is unfortunate that they still believe that massage and electrical stimulation are key interventions to improve and/or normalize muscle activity and movement patterns. few developmental activities were being encouraged, although they had a beautiful developmental chart on their wall.

half an hour of these services costs the equivalent to 6-8 average meals; not exactly cheap. and they are instructed to bring their children daily. it is not surprising that a family "dumped" (word choice used by orphanage staff) their child at the orphanage entrance just last week. the cost of therapy for the past year had become a burden; cheaper to give him up and allow the orphanage to care for him. (scream and then take a deep breath. so many things i want to say, but i'll save that for another post.)

pediatrician visit-- 

imagine a typical doctor's exam room, aesthetically outdated by maybe 60+ years? and substitute wooden desk for typical plinth. at one time i counted 20(!) parents, each with a child, crammed into this room. initially i thought we were "signing in" or something? nope. as i got closer i could see the doctor actually examining kids. talk about space bubbles being invaded and everyone knowing your business. not to mention the shouting that is occasionally going on due to the seemingly lack of order. everything felt so unnecessarily stressful. guess i'll think twice next time i see the doctor in a private room, even if it is only for 10 minutes.  

ultrasound-- 

technology similar to the states. but while we waited for our report and pictures, 2 other patients came and got their ultrasounds as well. thankfully i can't understand chinese medical terminology, otherwise i would know every detail about the woman who came in with abdominal pain and the one who is 7-8 months pregnant.

a common theme amongst the professionals we saw--

they all tried very desperately to communicate to me that caring for this child was not a good idea (i translated to english)... 

"she has too many problems." 

"her health isn't good." 

"it will be very troublesome."

"you could find a healthier child." 

at one point i felt tears well up in my eyes, probably a combination of frustration and immense sadness... i just don't get how they can so easily disregard a life. in my world, children are not disposable.