Once, there was a time when a certain section of the population was revered. They were placed next to Gods, and it was not because they could preach incorrect interpretations of holy texts confidently; or perform impossible limb-twisting postures, calling it yoga. It was based on their ability to heal, to save a dying man. They called the person a doctor. A doctor in a family is often a role model for the young ones. A doctor in the society often doubles up as a guide to many people. People used to put blinnd trust in the 'man in white coat'. The sight of a doctor in a hospital brought with it, an aura of hope, of life. A man, who sacrificed his nights, so that his patients could sleep peacefully; someone who knows the blood group of his patient but not of his wife. Such words were spoken about him.
Today, over 4000 doctors in maharashtra are on strike. Doctors of VS general hospital are on strike following assault by a patient's relatives on a neurosurgeon, and are still being threatened with suspension.
Somewhere, something went terribly wrong.
The sight of ward boys accepting bribes from OPD patients and bringing them to us, forcing us to admit completely unnecessary patients, or write needless drugs is altogether too common. Hospital labs dont have all necessary blood investigations so we send them to outside labs which obviously charge money. Does the patient think we have a cut in all of the above? Probably. When popular figures and media tell the public that a certain radiological procedure costs much less than what the doctor is charging, the patients believe it and think the doctors are looting them. Apperently because it is in the papers, so it must be true. because apparently the value of knowledge, skill and experience is almost non existent. Thats why maybe Tushar kapoor and Uday chopra are richer than us.
With one of the worst paid jobs in India, with respect to pay-per-hour (yeah, on paper, we are working 24 hours a day), a doctor passes through many more difficult tests than those required to clear examinations. He has to live in sub-standard conditions, sleep less than 5 hours-per-day, be expected to remain alert and on call for 48 hours at a stretch many a time. He is responsible for everything that happens to his patients. And should anything bad happen to a patient, he is the one to receive the brunt of the relatives. And then, they are forced to work 1/2/3 years in rural areas, because apparently the health situation in India's village needs uplifting. It's true, no doubt. But its not as if we have world class roads and buidings in villages and courts are full of honest lawyers and judges and the case back-log is negligent. Then why lawyers, engineers are not sent to villages? And why the doctors, responsible for the health of a village, has to sleep in mosquito-infested quarters? By the time we get our bachelor's degrees, most of our colleagues have already lost their bachelorhood and would probably be fathers, secretly wishing their children never become doctors.
The media portrays us as villains if we charge money, but nobody would come forward to help should we need some. The govt levies extra tax for the hospital as it is a "commercial" entity. Probably the only commercial entity where making money is a sin. The fees we charge is a reflection of our knowledge, our efforts over the previous ten years and our confidence. By questioning the same, the media and the semi-literates are questioning all of the above. Media portrayal is always going to be negative. "A doctor saves a dying man" is like "A barber cuts hair." for the media- boring. Interesting is, "4000 doctors on strike, health services crippled!" yeah, we love going on strike and bring harm to the very people we swore to serve for our life (the patients, of course!).
Today, the scenario has changed. Today, the patients fear a doctor. The hero is now seen with darker shades. And people are questioning, "A hero, or a villain? Doctor who?"
-Shivam'da'
