This is one of the areas in which several children expressed dissatisfaction with the level of participation offered to them. Many felt that doctors do not care to explain to them, in a language they understand, their diagnoses or prescriptions. There also appeared to be a consensus among several children, especially among older children, that they were treated far better by doctors when they travelled abroad for medical care. Several mentioned that doctors in the Maldives appeared rushed in comparison with doctors they consult abroad, and did not have time for explanations. Some expressed the view that even within the Maldives, they feel more included in the procedures when they consult an expatriate doctor. One child said, for example, that: Foreign doctors are better than Maldivians. They seem to give it their all, and are dedicated. They address the patients themselves, talk directly to the patients. Maldivian doctors always seem to be in a rush, as if they had got water in their noses and are about to drown. Not saying that all Maldivian doctors are bad—this is the general impression. Another child recounted his own negative experience: ‘I have a phobia of needles, but when I was a child they never asked me or told me when they stuck a needle in me.’ Other children, however, had a better impression of doctors and the health sector: ‘If the doctor fails to tell me, I ask. When I ask, they do tell.’ In presenting their views as a group, children in the secondary school focus group had this to say on the subject of being provided with appropriate information by doctors and other healthcare professionals: In the discussions within our group, what we found is that if we go to a Maldivian doctor, we don’t really know what is going on. One time they will give us an injection, the next time they will ask us to do a blood test. Without knowing what is really going on, we go from one section [of the healthcare system] to another, doing what they ask us to do. Younger children (in primary school), however, had a positive opinion of doctors and the health sector. When we go to the doctor, the doctor does their check-up and tell the patient, even if it is a child, they tell you why you are sick. They tell us we have eaten something with germs in it or something like that. Doctors explain to us, and doctors and nurses tell us not to panic when something happens. Children with special needs, too, had a generally positive opinion of their experiences with the health sector. They feel that doctors and nurses do give them information they need. However, sometimes they cannot understand what the doctor is saying [due to their need for sign language] and require parents to explain to them what the doctor had said. 34