Norwegian swimmer almost died at a Budapest hospital: nobody spoke English
“If my mother had not come to Budapest, I do not think I would have survived”, one of Norway’s best swimmers said after he was released from a Budapest hospital. Below you can read his shocking story highlighting why foreign language knowledge would be crucial in the Hungarian healthcare system.
Norwegian swimmer in trouble in Budapest
The best Norwegian breaststroke swimmer, André Klippenberg Grindheim, reported about a horrific calvary on his Instagram. He came to the FINA 2022 aquatics world championships in Budapest but could not compete in the tournament because he fell ill after he stepped on Hungarian ground. The 22-year-old athlete said in a recent Instagram post that he almost died in the hospital. But you would never guess the reason why.
Grindheim wrote that the Hungarian hospital released him last Monday, 24.hu reported. The Norwegian champion won his qualification last year. However, not long after his arrival, on June 24, he had to call the ambulance because of severe pain in his stomach. It swelled as much as if he was expecting twins.
Photo: Instagram
Nobody told him whether he will survive
He was expecting the arrival of the ambulance, but hours passed. When they came, he was shocked that their English proficiency was almost zero. In the hospital, it became clear that a segment of his intestines was dead because an internal hernia-caused inflammation that spread to his appendix.
“I only remember before the surgery that the doctor says either they do the operation or I have only hours left. It was difficult to wait for the anaesthesia without being told whether I have a chance to wake up,”
he wrote.
Photo: Instagram
Thankfully, the appendix surgery was successful, but the torture did not end. The swimmer got severe pneumonia at the hospital and was infected by the coronavirus. However,
the healthcare employees did not take the symptoms seriously.
Her mother’s thermomether saved his life
Fortunately, his mother brought a thermometer, so she told the unusually high body temperature to the staff. After a blood test, it was clear that the high CRP level is the result of an inflammation.
Afterwards, it was clear that the 22-year-old athlete had pneumonia. Grindheim said
he lost 6 kilograms in just 1.5 weeks.
Photo: Instagram
He was released last Monday and flew back to Norway.
“Being at the hospital in Budapest was very difficult. I could barely communicate with those who treated me,” he complained. He said he was thankful that his mother could spend that time with him. She worked as a nurse for a while, and the Norwegian swimmer said he did not think he would not have survived without her. He experessed no gratitude towards the Hungarian nurses and doctors in his post.
Source: 24.hu, Instagram
14 Comments
Disguisting
The Medical Profession, throughout its “layers” – those that make it there life, receive depth of education, in what-ever field in the Medical Profession they enter.
Is this the PROBLEM area – that in the training, the obtaining of a Degree/Qualification – the importance of understanding a foreign language – is failing – not being GIVEN a priority of importance – in the duration of training-educating – those coming through the various Universities/Colleges – that are “destined” to work – set there career goals – to work in the Medical Profession ???
English friend of ours – educator – lives Budapest with Husband & (2) two children, needed major surgury in recent months.
The lack of English – she speaks no Hungarian – “stressed” – her whilst in Hospital – dealing with Doctors down.
Thank-fully for her, the surgoen, who performed her operation, young in age, spoke excellent English.
Dealing with the Hungarian Immigration Department – personal “broadsheet” experience – the lack of English understanding – Disguisting.
Hospitals – the health & care of humans – this is a MAJOR starting point – to CORRECT – get right, the NEED of hospitals – to cope with – have internal or external facilities – to ENSURE – human(s) from which ever country & language they speak – have a MEANS – to communicate.
What is the standard of English education, to Senior School in Hungary ???
It is normal practice personally for me – speaking English only, but living in Budapest, Hungary for nearing (5) five years – to give as a gift of appreciation, to younger – my Hungarian Dentist is young in years, an English novel to read.
Expansion of understanding – words, word usage – the writing of English – is accelerated by reading literiture that is published/printed in English.
The Global World – the “ever” changing Global World we live – the “asset” to the youth of to-day, for them to be Bi-Lingual – PRIORITY.
Education – opens WINDOWS of Opportunity – and if on a CV – can be included a fluency of “another” language – opportunities are limitless.
Education – introduction into Junior School – possible in Hungary – this needs a massive “re-think” – that will in time LIFT the over-all standard of understanding English – being able to respond communicate competently in English, to who-ever.
Hungary – in the Education of English – we can & must Do BETTER.
By the way, my “young” Hungarian Dentist – loved the “read” of the novel I presented him.
“To Kill a Mockingbird” – by Harper Lee.
POWERFUL Message for ALL – in the reading of this “acclaimed” novel.
The “message” – need on – Tolerance & Compassion.
Dominic- To kill a Mockingbird is now considered racist and banned in US schools.
I will say this – I was taken in by the police because of a complaint I was doing graffiti when I was actually trying to remove it.
A translater was called in or I would probably still be there. She was great but it took several hearings to get it cleared up- the hours and paperwork was staggering including a full fingerprinting of body parts like I had never seen before and o served in the military.
This is when the regime is encouraging ignorance. In what country you have hospitals without English? Once I was stuck a month in a Budapest hospital because there was only one memebr that could speak (broken) English and still I had to pay a fortune for crap and eventually had to fly to my home country to get finally treated by real doctors.
“To Kill a Mockingbird” is NOT RACIST and is NOT BANNED in American schools. There is no national book standard in the US. According to the national association of school librarians, “To Kill a Mockingbird” is widely available in school and community libraries as well as on-line book sellers. The vile American Left would love to deprive US citizens of good literature but has so far failed to do so. Thankfully, the bitch slap heard round the world is coming in November.
I could not agree more with Dominics comments. English is a global language and somehow think by not enabling professionals in the language the sate is limiting their ability to move and work in other countries. Immigration office is another perfect example, for god sake its an immigration office where only foreigners are expected to come and the staff there speaks limited to no English, thus the business for immigration consultants who are more of translators in the whole process.
The “loads” of Chinese seen at the Department of Immigration in Hungary – “engage” a translator – who in 99% of the time is an Hungarian Lawyer of person specializing in lodgement of docementation for Trsidency purpose.
Factually witnessed – with (8) eight Chinese clients with him, speaking to them in Manderin/Cantonese – then when there number “lights up” accompanies them and is there mouth peace.
NOT the same facility offered if you speak English only.
Personal experience at Hungarian Immigration Office in Buda – waited 90 minutes for my number to “come up”.
Attended the window – officer No English.
On this occassion, there were (10) immigration staff processing officers on Duty and not one of them SPOKE nor Understood English.
I left disguisted – and expressing your disguist – like talking to a “Brick” wall – that the eyes & head – have NO idea – what you are talking about.
My return visit – ensured that Immigration Officer – that I would be numbered to see spoke & understood English.
It happened but what an experience, that through mis-interpretation – I had to return again, to correct, my documentation.
SM spot on – its just APPALLING – bit of 3rd World type stuff, that just NEEDS a MASSIVE overhaul – rising of professionalism and standards – respect & dignity possible appreciation – to us that speak English only.
The arrogance of some westerners believing that they don’t need to learn another language when going to a foreign country. Honestly, this is what this thread reeks of.
Also, here is another idea. Maybe bring a foreign dictionary or a translation app when you are planning to live or work in a foreign country.
The citizens of any country should not be accomdating you. In fact, it shows a sign of respect if you are learning the language of the country you are living/working in. If you suck at learning another language that sucks. It doesn’t give you an excuse to expect the citizens to serve you.
Sincerely,
Someone who lived abroad in an country for couple of years.
Ps. I had to go to a health clinic where no one spoke much English.
What second language westerners would speak if they were under the Soviet domination, from 1945 t0 1990?
“If we don’t believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don’t believe in it at all.”
Do you expect in an English speaking country , that the nurses and doctors will speak Hungarian language ?
Do you expect in an English speaking country , that the nurses and doctors will speak Hungarian language ?
The main thing in here what I see: He was infected with the coronavirus hence pneumonia? friends visited him with no mask on??-was able to fly out of the country within a week and a half??
And no thanks to the staff who saved his life. Nice one!!!
@Bela
I’m not Hungarian. I’m also from a western country. To answer your question, no I expect that in a country where English is the official (not dominate) language that doctors or nurses are expected to speak that language. In the case of Canada it’s a bit different as Canada had two official languages (English an French) but that a third official language should be added in my opinion (would included Indigenous langauges from Canada),
@Imre
I believe in freedom of expression/your right to express your ignorant opinions of how a non English country should have it’s citizens learn English.
It’s funny you mention the Soviet Union which was a classic case of imperialism and colonization where ethnic minorities were discriminated against and even faced ethnic cleansing.
On this note, I whole heartily support Hungary in preserving it’s language and not bowing to Westerners who think Hungarians need to learn Enlish and not the other way.
Hungarians have no compassion. Period. In other countries the medical profession is a job where pride is taken. In Hungary the attitude is “not my problem you’re ill.” It’s still 1956 here. Nothing will change. Poor service in every industry because there is no empathy for others or a motivation to work. I loved Hungary for 10 years, now I hate it and will leave because of all the inhuman treatment I’ve witnessed. I hope the EU kicks them out and the economy collapses. Its all they deserve. Communist parasztok!