I swear by Apollo Physician, by Asclepius, by Health, by Heal-all, and by all the Gods and Goddesses, making them witnesses, that I will carry out, according to my ability and judgment, this oath and this indenture… I will use treatment to help the sick according to my ability and judgment, but I will never use it to injure or wrong them… Into whatsoever houses I enter, I will do so to help the sick, keeping myself free from all intentional wrongdoing and harm.”
These excerpts from the Hippocratic Oath will surely ring a bell in the minds of all medical practitioners as it marks the very onset of their professional life. I still remember the sense of pride I felt when I took this oath along with my batch mates almost two decades back. Ever since then, medical profession has evolved in a big way with the introduction of cutting edge technology and advanced practices. But at times I wonder, if it has also changed the very grounds of the promise that we make to ourselves, to the profession and to the community at large when we become a doctor. I feel extremely sad to see the lack of compassion, warmth and humanity displayed by medical practitioners, institutions and stakeholders today. The death of 7-year-old Avinash Rout due to refusal of treatment for dengue by leading hospitals in Delhi and subsequent suicide of his parents suggest how materialism has made its inroads into a life-saving sensitive profession.
It demonstrates how hospitals are not only refusing the support to save a life but their inhuman approach is forcing people to claim their own lives.
Over the years, we have witnessed a number of outbreaks of fatal diseases, which have potentially hit life in different parts of the country… this year it is the rising cases of dengue in the capital. With 20 deaths and more than 2,000 people tested positive for dengue, the situation is truly worrisome. What is even tragic is the insensitive approach of public and private hospitals towards these patients. Denial of admission, which hit the headlines with Avinash Rout's case has been a persistent problem. While some can afford the fat bills of a private hospital, the non-affluent section of the society, which relies on Government-run hospitals, often goes unattended. long queues outside Government hospitals and health centers, lack of required doctors and paramedics, unhygienic environs, poor infrastructure, absence of SOS mechanisms to fight epidemics and above all lack of apathy of the state towards the deteriorating condition of health facilities in Delhi, does not leave much choice with the poor.
Ever since dengue has hit the Capital, I have come across a new slew of promises being made by the State Government to deal with the menace. But what I really fail to understand is why the authorities were waiting for an outbreak like this to revisit their facilities that too despite having a good health budget in place…at least on papers and as boasted in loud ad campaigns.
At a time when all resources and staff have been instructed to concentrate on these patients, ever wondered what is the plight of those non-dengue patients awaiting treatment and some even lined-up for surgeriesIJ Well, the answer is they are solely at the mercy of private hospitals, which once again are cashing-in-on the situation with hardly any room for consideration on grounds of humanity…unfortunately the most critical pillar of the medical profession.
The Supreme Court in its ruling, has pronounced that the obligation of medical professionals to provide treatment in cases of emergencies overrode the professional freedom to refuse patients.
Well, the judiciary has already done its bit but do we expect a rickshaw puller or an unlettered mason to know the legal virtues to receive the due medical careIJ Avinash Rout's death has left all medical and administrative stakeholders with a mark of shame, number of questions and a very strong reason for introspection.
It's time that the health machinery shifts its gears and works towards controlling the epidemic with care, concern, compassion and corrective action. I strongly believe that we need to get out of our comfort zones and profit margins and draw an exhaustive rescue mechanism. Be it medical institutions, doctors, Government or other stakeholders, we all need to join hands and keep the interest and well-being of the patients at the heart of whatever we do. It's our home… our people… our problem and the solution also lies in our very own hands. Dengue is undoubtedly deadly but surely defeatable.
(The author is National General Secretary, BJP)