ARE THE QUEBEC GOVERNMENT'S BUDGET CUTS ANTISEMITIC?

THE QUEBEC GOVERNMENT'S BUDGET CUTS ARE STRANGLING THE JEWISH GENERAL HOSPITAL, STRESSING THE DOCTORS AND THE PATIENTS.

I WONDER IF FRENCH -"CHRISTIAN" HOSPITALS HAVE HAD TO CUT THEIR SERVICES SO SEVERELY OR IF THE QUEBEC GOVERNMENT MIGHT, PERCHANCE, BE ANTISEMITIC.

IT IS NOT ONLY THE LOSS OF THE CAFETERIA, BUT THE LOSS OF MEDICAL AND TECHNICAL PERSONNEL AND THE DETERIORATION AND INADEQUACY OF VITAL EQUIPMENT SUCH AS MRI'S.

More sad news at the Jewish General

As one of the leading hospitals in Montreal, this institution has undergone all sorts of renovations for the past few years: from a new ultra modern wing and a new Emergency Dept to an undergound parking area just to name a few.

As a cancer patient, I have been going so often to the JGH for treatments and tests that it became like a second home for me. Unfortunately, I recently had a tremendous shock and disappointment. The cafeteria on the main floor near the main entrance has closed. There is a sign on the door advising everyone that the cafeteria closed on November 18 and to go to a "food court" in the new Lea Polanski section.

This cafeteria was a hugely popular part of the JGH, serving delicious, warm full-course Kosher meals, along with made-to-order sandwiches and salads plus a bakery section and a fresh fruit area. I know of at least 5 or 6 seniors living in the area who used to go there for all their meals and I am sure many other seniors did the same. One of the main reasons for that was the very reasonable prices one paid at this cafeteria: for approximately $8.00, you could have a huge meal and you could even take home the leftovers for a snack.

Since I was very hungry, I went to the "food court". Unfortunately, it is nothing to write home about. You have a huge open space with approximately 100 tables and counters for franchises the length of the wall on your right. Except for 2 or 3 counters, all the counters were not rented and were closed. I approached a counter which had quite a number of people in line in order to see what they offered. Exactly what you would not feel like eating after a treatment or medical test: smoked meat, hamburgers and hot dogs!

So now, at the JGH, if you are hungry, you have a choice of a coffee chain with pre-packaged sandwiches or croissants, the Atrium on the ground floor with a limited menu or a corner sandwich bar in Pavilion E. Period.

When I asked employees what happened to the cafeteria, they all claimed that they were told that this change happened due to "cost cutting measures". Furthermore, they reported that the staff of the cafeteria was let go. Another example how our goverment is forcing a respected institution to take the human factor out of health care. This is sad. Very sad, indeed.

Robert Khalifa
Montreal

editor@thesuburban.com