In October
I was meeting groups of peer educators
For an evaluation and assessment exercise
On their work and everything
Many points were raised from them
To help us understand how better we can serve them
In the next year, on the Get Up Speak Out project
And they serve us better, as well
One particular point struck me, though
No no no…
Scratch that….it stung me deep down my heart and throat
“Did you pay me to come here today”?
I don’t know if I should say that I was disappointed cause I’m not
Neither can I say that I was happy it was raised cause I was not
Either can I say that I was surprised cause I really wasn’t
I guess it comes with the job of interacting with one another that you manage to lower your expectations to zero so that you’re never caught off-guard
A medical officer said this…for today; let’s call this person “our doctor”, alright
Our doctor said this to our peer educators
Simply because they cared enough to remind him of this actual duty
Of valuing human life before their own personal commitments
We were meant to understand that this wasn’t the first time that this was happening…our peer educators confirmed this for us
They had most likely seen and heard worse
That stung….sharply!
Any human can only hold on so long with frustration, I know
Context and all…
But surely, was this the way to respond to a well-intended reminder?
If we may;
Can we get to remind ourselves as to why we are healthcare providers and not bosses in the room?
Can we remind ourselves of the duty we must bear of serving our people first and foremost before our personal commitments?
Can we always take a look through our code of conduct as healthcare providers?
Can we always ask for help when the lid has gotten full to the brim?
Yeah….can we do that?