I sometimes think, physicality is the new religion. The body has become the temple and so more people run,
walk, do yoga or workout. Churches of Spin, Zoomba and TRX have sprung up like
the Open Bible churches did in Trinidad and Tobago which was previously dominated
by Roman Catholic and Anglican churches and in some part mosques and
temples. It is said to have mind, body and soul benefits. Not being a part of
the new religion can make one the modern day equivalent of a pariah. This
becomes more acute among the ageing who associate sex appeal with physical
form.
I recently
paid good money to a health facility for services I’d say I’m yet to get. But
this is not the issue that concerns me. My boss, in his mid to late forties had
quadruple bypass surgery this week. He wasn’t over weight, drinks only
occasionally, doesn’t eat meat and has an exercise regime. He had been hospitalized
with chest pains a couple times before but it was only on his last visit two
weeks ago that blocked arteries were discovered. I’m confused.
The
thing is that all his visits before were to one of the best private health
facilities in the country. I’m wondering no tests done showed that he was at
risk for heart disease? It had to come to what has been termed a minor heart
attack for a doctor to realize he needed urgent heart surgery? That institution
failed him! How do we get accountability from health professionals? Is that not
a serious question?
Another
failing of the health evangelists, whom I view with the skepticism of all other
crusaders with a life saving message, is that they don’t respect your right to interpret
health. It may be necessary to say that my earlier point is that even those
dedicated to health can fail to achieve it, more the institution than the
individual. This is no indictment as I do believe most things are folly but that’s
another story. Money doesn’t bring happiness, love does not mean peace and all
things are uncertain, this is what I mean by all things are folly.
It’s
not easy to have quadruple bypass surgery, though, and the recovery is at its
own pace. I wish my boss a full and speedy recovery!
