Cheap and unreliable vs Expensive but efficient: The reality of the government and private services.

Its true that sometimes government services are reliable, and at other times, private services come through when you dont even expect it. So for me, It just depends. I personally have seen both sides and I can tell you for free that neither is perfect. It’s like you choosing between garri and beans, we definitely know that one might sustain longer but the other can come in fast as quick satisfaction as well. Let go through a story of mine.

source

I fell sick, it was a laife threatening one, one that makes one to question life, the type that you see even your family gaze at you as if to remember your face in case you were gone. It was bad then, and also as at when it started government hospitals were on strike. Doctors, nurses and everybody had left. It was a private hospital we rushed to, and if not for that, I doubt if I would still be here or what would have happened. There, their doctors and nurses were on standby and there was light. But to be honest, the few days I spent there, the bills were enormous.

Well, we paid for that and some other things were needed to be done, and the bill also, was just nothing to write home about and just as my family was contemplating on borrowing and selling some things the strike ended. The government hospitals opened again and I was transferred there. At least, it would be cheaper, even though we will borrow, it wont be up to that of a private hospital. But then, another story started, in the government hospital, they kept on rescheduling my surgery date, why?. “No light, No diesel, machine used for surgery is not in good condition, the consultant traveled out and a lot of excuses, which were true, even a time I was using the oxygen it had to be shared amongst like five of us, in a government hospital. At some point, we wondered if we should just go back to the private hospital, bcause what’s the use of affordability when the service isn’t available..what.

There was also a time my friend had typhoid, we were in school, we couldn't reach his parents, so we rushed him to a private hospital, and the first thing they asked for was a deposit, they didn't even ask what happened or to get him stabilized first, we were begging, explaining that we would reach out to his parent the following morning, just ti give him even if its a drip, but they stood their ground. No money, no treatment, after we made some calls and raised the cash, they started treatment. Come to think of it, their personnel weren't qualified, they gave him the wrong medication and things got worse again, it was a government hospital that saved his life later and he got better.

And its not just hospitals, just that I had my experience there, talk about schools, government schools are cheap, accessible, and they have some of the best teachers who are truly passionate about teaching, I attended a government owned school, so I know, just that most of the classrooms are overcrowded, no good facilities, and teachers most times lacked motivation due to very low and delayed salaries. Meanwhile, private schools have few student occupying each room, good learning facilities and all, but we all know it comes at a cost. Some private schools hire teachers who are just teaching what they don’t even fully understand, like I said earlier, It depends.

source

With what I know and have experienced, my conclusion is that both sides have their strengths and weaknesses. Government services are widely available, affordable and well staffed. But then, theres inefficiency, they lack maintenance, there are unnecessary delays and all. And private services are fast, efficient, and customer friendly, but then also, they are expensive and all.

I can't say I prefer either of the two, because both will one time or the other definitely come through for us. So, am still ending on that same note.. it depends.

Posted Using INLEO