Should Hospitals Need To Have Translators?

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@Shavkat (141906)

Philippines

April 10, 2016 9:21pm CST

In England, the London Clinic is one of the best and largest health care facilities for foreigners. It is a private hospital but it has been considered a charitable organization since 1935 for its efforts to improve health care. The London Clinic offers special treatment for each patient, based on their needs. For instance, the hospital has translators for patients who cannot speak English or cannot speak English very well. It seems idealistic to have such services to the non-native speakers. What do you think? Is it necessary to have translators in every hospitals across the country? Photo Credit: https://pixabay.com/en/translate-keyboard-internet-button-110777/

24 people like this

24 responses

@TheHorse (238268)

• Walnut Creek, California

11 Apr 16

If I moved to France, I would learn (better) French.

5 people like this

@Shavkat (141906)

• Philippines

11 Apr 16

@TheHorse Most of the tourists who will live in certain countries need to learn the native language. So that things will be fine in terms of communication.

3 people like this

@Shavkat (141906)

• Philippines

11 Apr 16

@TheHorse Some people refused to learn new languages. They are more contented of knowing how to speak English.

2 people like this

@TheHorse (238268)

• Walnut Creek, California

11 Apr 16

@Shavkat Why wouldn't they?

1 person likes this

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@mammots (3209)

• Philippines

11 Apr 16

I think having a translator is a big help since its a facility that caters to foreign patients. I'm reminded of a funny video posted on facebook featuring two American nurses and a patient from Viet Nam.

2 people like this

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@mammots (3209)

• Philippines

11 Apr 16

@Shavkat So true. Doctors and nurses are not mind readers. The patient need to tell the doctor where exactly he hurts so the doctor can immediately give him help.

1 person likes this

@Shavkat (141906)

• Philippines

11 Apr 16

@mammots I agree with you. It is inevitable that communication will be a hindrance if cannot understand each other. The possible scenario, they cannot determine what's the real cause of patient's illness.

2 people like this

@TiarasOceanView (70020)

• United States

11 Apr 16

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@MGjhaud (23228)

• Philippines

11 Apr 16

its nice to have one in a hospital but not necessary.

1 person likes this

@Shavkat (141906)

• Philippines

11 Apr 16

@MGjhaud I guess it is not necessary in small cities. For some tourist spots, it could be possible to have translators for the foreigners. However, I think we can still use the universal language English.

1 person likes this

@MGjhaud (23228)

• Philippines

11 Apr 16

@Shavkat there were koreans and indians ive met when i was in the hospital for a long time. they cant speak english very well but the nurses were very patient. so i think, yeah, its ok..

1 person likes this

@toniganzon (77064)

• Philippines

11 Apr 16

If such country can afford it, why not? But in our country when we can't even afford hospital facilities and subsidise the patient's medication, I think that it shouldn't be so.

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@toniganzon (77064)

• Philippines

11 Apr 16

@Shavkat would you volunteer for free?

@Shavkat (141906)

• Philippines

11 Apr 16

@toniganzon I had done this before. I had volunteered in another country.

@Shavkat (141906)

• Philippines

11 Apr 16

I think they could ask for volunteers. If it is available. I agree it depends on the poverty line of certain countries.

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@MarymargII (12422)

• Toronto, Ontario

11 Apr 16

No, but it would help if they have a few anyway.

1 person likes this

@Shavkat (141906)

• Philippines

11 Apr 16

I agree. It can be also done.

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@gofsey (1911)

• Madurai, India

11 Apr 16

It is always good to have translators. You can understand the instructions better.

1 person likes this

@Shavkat (141906)

• Philippines

11 Apr 16

@gofsey I think it would be nice for tertiary hospitals to have translators.

1 person likes this

@gofsey (1911)

• Madurai, India

11 Apr 16

@Shavkat But it would cost a whole packet of money.

@Shavkat (141906)

• Philippines

11 Apr 16

@gofsey I am sure it is. I guess they can have on call translators.

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@Marcyaz (35316)

• United States

11 Apr 16

My first instinct is to say no to translators but then someone has to be able to translate for them, I would think the hospital has staff that could translate for them. I don't understand why the non English speakers can't go and learn English after all if they want to be a good citizen then that is what they should do.

1 person likes this

@Shavkat (141906)

• Philippines

11 Apr 16

I agree. They could be bilingual.

@dodo19 (48119)

• Beaconsfield, Quebec

12 Apr 16

I certainly think that it's a good idea to have. Sure, I think that, when moving to a new place, it's a good idea to try and learn the language, if it's different from your own. However, learning a new language can be difficult for some. Some people may not have the time or money to do so. So, I think it's a good idea to have a translator, in these cases.

1 person likes this

@Shavkat (141906)

• Philippines

12 Apr 16

I agree. Some people refused to learn a new language.

1 person likes this

@TiarasOceanView (70020)

• United States

11 Apr 16

Yes as here in this country, people cant speak their own language as well lolz

London is more internationally geared for dealing with this.

1 person likes this

@Shavkat (141906)

• Philippines

11 Apr 16

@TiarasOceanView I agree. Big cities can cater the needs of the foreigners for having language barriers.

1 person likes this

@TiarasOceanView (70020)

• United States

11 Apr 16

@Shavkat It is a must in the world today..we are all very much intergrated, no point in staying in the past times Shavkat. Communication is paramount.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381739)

• Rockingham, Australia

11 Apr 16

I think it is a great idea in big hospitals and/or others where possible. It must be awful to feel really ill or be in a lot of pain and not be able to explain your problem.

1 person likes this

@Shavkat (141906)

• Philippines

11 Apr 16

I agree. It would be a great help. At least, it will not add to their burden of explaining the pain.

1 person likes this

@Lucky15 (37391)

• Philippines

11 Apr 16

i think yes,it would be a great idea

1 person likes this

@Shavkat (141906)

• Philippines

11 Apr 16

I think so my dear friend.

1 person likes this

@Yar_Joey (3271)

• Philippines

11 Apr 16

When you work in an English hospital, I think it is good to have translators but here in our country, we understand the dialects but not languages of the patients hence I believe there is no need for translators

1 person likes this

@Shavkat (141906)

• Philippines

11 Apr 16

I agree. We are bilingual. It doesn't need to have one.

1 person likes this

@andriaperry (118793)

• Anniston, Alabama

12 Apr 16

Yes I do think all hospitals should have them, here in the USA the need is for Spanish translators. Did you send a friends request on face?

1 person likes this

@Shavkat (141906)

• Philippines

12 Apr 16

I agree. I am not sure with the question. What does it mean? I am sorry. I got puzzled.

@josie_ (10033)

• Philippines

11 Apr 16

Not all hospitals cater to foreigners. There are apps for language translation.

1 person likes this

@Shavkat (141906)

• Philippines

11 Apr 16

I agree. What if it is an emergency?

@youless (114117)

• Guangzhou, China

11 Apr 16

This is a very thoughtful method for the hospital to do this. As patients who can't speak or understand English well will have problems to communicate with the doctors. And this can lead to some serious problems.

1 person likes this

@Shavkat (141906)

• Philippines

11 Apr 16

@youless It will be always the problem if there is a language barrier for people who can't speak English.

1 person likes this

@marguicha (230334)

• Chile

11 Apr 16

It depends on the needs of the hospital. I heard that in my country, in the south of Chile where there are many mapuches ( natives) who still speak mapudungun, there is someone who translates. And there is also nearby a native doctor.

1 person likes this

@Shavkat (141906)

• Philippines

11 Apr 16

@marguicha Wow! This is the second time to hear that a hospital has a translator.

@infatuatedbby (94909)

• United States

12 Apr 16

It would be nice if the hospital can accommodate translators for emergency situations.

Now employers are looking for people to be bi-lingual at least.

@Shavkat (141906)

• Philippines

12 Apr 16

I agree with you. Even in local hospitals, they were requiring to be bilingual to cater the needs of the local patients.

1 person likes this

@infatuatedbby (94909)

• United States

12 Apr 16

@Shavkat They do prefer it and I'm sure those that are bilingual have a shine to their resumes

1 person likes this

@sjvg1976 (42727)

• Delhi, India

11 Apr 16

That is good idea as in India there are lots of regional languages and that would be beneficial if they keep translators there

1 person likes this

@Shavkat (141906)

• Philippines

11 Apr 16

@sjvg1976 Indeed my dear friend, I think it is a good idea.

@lovebeingmummy2 (806)

• Aberdeen, Scotland

16 Apr 16

We have translators in our local hospital

destimona safrina

@destimona (1910)

• Luxembourg, Luxembourg

11 Apr 16

Good to have translators.

@Shavkat (141906)

• Philippines

11 Apr 16

I agree with you.

destimona safrina

@destimona (1910)

• Luxembourg, Luxembourg

11 Apr 16

@Shavkat Thanks.