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PHYSICIAN HEAL THYSELF PHYSICIAN HEAL THYSELF

The reaction of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) demanding an apology from Aamir Khan for "defaming the medical profession " in one of the well-researched episodes of Satyanev Jayathe (SJ) is

amusing. Most of the details shown in the SJ episode are already in the public domain. For instance, asting operation by a popular Malayalam channel exposed the nexus between a leading doctor and a scancenter. Whatever be the nature of complaint of the patient, a series of tests and scans were the packageprescribed by the specialists with commission regularly flowing to his pocket.In 2011 an e-mail falselyclaiming to have been written by a renowned professor of medicine made sensational news in theinternet .It was titled "How Indian Doctors Loot Patients? " .Though the professor vehemently denied anyassociation with the e-mail, the shocking contents found favour with the readers including some medicalpractitioners.

Many movies have been depicting the unethical practices of some doctors and one such movie in Tamil"RAMANA" is an all-time box office hit. The unsavoury controversies in the recent past involving the IndianMedical Council, the standard setting body of medical education, are too unpleasant to be ignored. Thenoble medical profession has many distinguished and committed doctors dedicated to service. At the sametime, there are many doctors to whom medicine is a lucrative business. As one doctor observes: "Thosewho have spent nearly 75 lakh rupees towards capitation and other fees for a medical degree cannot beexpected to serve society without any gain. Be kind to them.".

The celebrated social scientist Ivan Illich wrote most vehemently against the medical professionals in hishighly acclaimed book " Limits to Medicine". The famous Indian physician R.H. Dastur commented ; Doctorsneedlessly endanger the lives of their patients by excessive and wrongful use of drugs. More and morepeople are falling prey to iatrogenesis (doctor- inflicted illness)". Hippocrates suggested that "for the sick theleast is the best". But the motto of the present-day doctors is " the most is the best", according to Professor of Pharmacology P.C.Dandiya and others.

The Indian Medical Association should do an objective introspection , and initiate measures to punish theguilty to stem the erosion in the credibility of a great and life-saving profession. Going after the whistleblowers is an exercise in futility. The IMA should set an exemplary model for all professionals.

Posted by Dr T K Nair at 8:58 AM No comments:

Angels, No More

Anna Hazares Jantar Mantar and Ramlila ground satyagrah protests for a strong Lokpalresembled the struggle for Indian Independence. The nation was recharged with a new fervour and the peoples response was unprecedented in recent years after the JP movement in 1975Bright young men and women were in the forefront of the Anna Hazare initiative. Manysacrificed their jobs to work full-time for a great cause of creating a corruption-free India. Thecorridors of power were shaken and the Indian Parliament passed a Sense of the HouseResolution to enable Anna Hazare to give up his fast. That was the finest moment of the AnnaHazare movement. But the euphoria was short-lived Anna Hazares rustic prescriptions for

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various issues, and the involvement of Team Anna in electoral politics dampened the spirit of alarge number of supporters of the anti-corruption crusade.

The tirade against MPs, Union ministers and even the Prime Minister by members of Team

Anna give the impression that they are partisan and their intent is not apolitical. Most of thePolitical parties are vocal in their support for a strong Lokpal. But their interpretation of strongis highly elastic. It is doubtful whether India will ever have an effective anti-graft law and anationally acceptable Lokpal institution with an independent investigation mechanism.

Black money , Mind-boggling scams and scandals, paralysis in decision-making, absence of viable policy initiatives, insensitivity to peoples needs, and decline in economic growth areeroding the confidence of the people. Even the highest political authorities appear weak andincapable of inspiring the nation. The Planning Commission practices the opposite of what ispreaches. When millions have no toilets, spending 35 lakh rupees for two toilets is a criminalsplurge from the Public exchequer . The austerity measures in government spending prescribedby the Finance Ministry are mere tokenism. Indian judiciary has been the only beacon of hopeand justice. But the allegations of corruption against some judges and the recent cash for bailscam involving a CBI judge are shaking the nations confidence. There is a sense of hopelessness among the people.

There are no more angels in our midst.