PHYSICIAN HEAL THYSELF

                                                 PHYSICIAN HEAL THYSELF

The reaction of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) demanding an apology from AamirKhan 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, a sting operation by a popular Malayalam channel exposed the nexus between a leading doctor and a scan center.Whatever be the nature of complaint of the patient, a series of tests and scans were the package prescribed by the specialists with commission regularly flowing to his pocket.In 2011 an e-mail falsely claiming to have been written by a renowned professor of medicine made sensational news in the internet.It was titled "How Indian Doctors Loot Patients? " .Though the professor vehemently denied any association with the e-mail, the shocking contents found favour with the readers including some medical practitioners.

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 Indian Medical Council, the standard setting body of medical education, are too unpleasant to be ignored. The noble medical profession has many distinguished and committed doctors dedicated to service.At the same time, there are many doctors to whom medicine is a lucrative business.As one doctor observes: "Those who have spent nearly 75 lakh rupees towards capitation and other fees for a medical degree cannot be expected to serve society without any gain. Be kind to them.".

The celebrated social scientist Ivan Illich wrote most vehemently against the medical professionals in his highly acclaimed book " Limits to Medicine". The famous Indian physician R.H. Dastur commented ; Doctors needlessly endanger the lives of their patients by excessive and wrongful use of drugs. More and more people are falling prey to iatrogenesis (doctor- inflicted illness)". Hippocrates suggested that "for the sick the least 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 the guilty to stem the erosion in the credibility of a great and life-saving profession. Going after the whistle blowers is an exercise in futility.The IMA should set an exemplary model for all professionals.

Angels, No More

Anna Hazare’s Jantar Mantar and Ramlila ground satyagrah protests for a strong Lokpal resembled the struggle for Indian Independence. The nation was recharged with a new fervour and the people’s response was unprecedented in recent years after the JP movement in 1975 Bright young men and women were in the forefront of the Anna Hazare initiative. Many sacrificed their jobs to work full-time for a great cause of creating a corruption-free India. The corridors of power were shaken and the Indian Parliament passed a “ Sense of the House Resolution” to enable Anna Hazare to give up his fast. That was the finest moment of the Anna Hazare movement. But the euphoria was short-lived  Anna Hazare’s rustic prescriptions for various issues, and the involvement of  Team Anna in electoral politics dampened the spirit of a large 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 the  Political parties are vocal in their support for a strong Lokpal. But their interpretation of “strong” is highly elastic. It is doubtful whether India will ever have an effective anti-graft law and a nationally 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 people’s needs, and decline in economic growth are eroding the confidence of the people. Even the highest  political authorities appear weak and incapable of inspiring the nation. The Planning Commission  practices the opposite of what is preaches. When millions have no toilets, spending 35 lakh rupees for two toilets is a criminal splurge from the Public exchequer . The austerity measures in government spending prescribed by the Finance Ministry are mere tokenism. Indian judiciary has been the only beacon of hope and justice. But the allegations of corruption against some judges and the recent “cash for bail” scam involving a CBI judge are shaking the nation’s confidence. There is a sense of hopelessness among the people.

There are no more angels in our midst.

PHYSICIAN HEAL THYSELF

                                              PHYSICIAN HEAL THYSELF

The reaction of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) demanding an apology from AamirKhan 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, a sting operation by a popular Malayalam channel exposed the nexus between a leading doctor and a scan center.Whatever be the nature of complaint of the patient, a series of tests and scans were the package prescribed by the specialists with commission regularly flowing to his pocket.In 2011 an e-mail falsely claiming to have been written by a renowned professor of medicine made sensational news in the internet.It was titled "How Indian Doctors Loot Patients? " .Though the professor vehemently denied any association with the e-mail, the shocking contents found favour with the readers including some medical practitioners.

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 Indian Medical Council, the standard setting body of medical education, are too unpleasant to be ignored. The noble medical profession has many distinguished and committed doctors dedicated to service.At the same time, there are many doctors to whom medicine is a lucrative business.As one doctor observes: "Those who have spent nearly 75 lakh rupees towards capitation and other fees for a medical degree cannot be expected to serve society without any gain. Be kind to them.".

The celebrated social scientist Ivan Illich wrote most vehemently against the medical professionals in his highly acclaimed book " Limits to Medicine". The famous Indian physician R.H. Dastur commented ; Doctors needlessly endanger the lives of their patients by excessive and wrongful use of drugs. More and more people are falling prey to iatrogenesis (doctor- inflicted illness)". Hippocrates suggested that "for the sick the least 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 the guilty to stem the erosion in the credibility of a great and life-saving profession. Going after the whistle blowers is an exercise in futility.The IMA should set an exemplary model for all professionals.

LIGHTNING STROKE AND SNAKE BITE

May is the month of sunstroke for the people of Tamilnadu. The peak summer period of Kathiri had the climax of 42.5 degree Celsius on the last day (May 28). The massive hike in petrol price matched the soaring temperature. While we the hapless people are reeling under the pressure of high petrol price, the bunks are dry without petrol and diesel. Serpentine queues, and fisticuffs between the exasperated consumers and the staff of petrol bunks are regular entertainment features for the past few days. Some bunks are generous enough to ration their limited supply. No proper explanation of this sudden shortage from those concerned; this stirred the rumour mongers into swift action. What excellent governance do Indians have? How true is the popular saying "The man who is hit by the lightning is bitten by a snake!"

Austerity : A Hollow Slogan

The Finance Minister pressed the austerity button once again. Millions in India are having a “below austere” existence forced upon them by an insensitive system. Government spending on wasteful causes has been a common practice: advertisements in the media glorifying of leaders and governments (both central as well as the state) spending crores of rupees: extravagant public functions: foreign travels spending astronomical amounts of tax payers money : huge amount of subsidy to the undeserving: ……..the list is legion. Business icons N.R.Narayana Murthy and Azim Premji reportedly prefer to travel by economy class which was ridiculed as “cattle class” by the former Minister Shashi Tharoor. While our leaders and “public” servants have no qualms in spending public money.


We are not holy as regards spending money for social and religious functions: extravagant marriage ceremonies, birthdays, anniversaries, “coming of age functions”, etc. For the rulers as well as the ruled, profligacy is the norm and austerity is the exception.

Dr.J Jayalalithaa’s , One Year Rule : A Social Workers Assessment

An impressive one year in office as Chief Minister of Tamilnadu by Dr.J Jayalalithaa. Among the orders she signed on first day was the one doubling the old age pension amount from Rs.500 to Rs 1000 per month. Tamilnadu is the first among the big Indian states and the third (Delhi and Goa are the other states) to sanction Rs.1000 as pension to senior citizens. The CM also enhanced the monthly social security amount to Rs.1000 to the differently abled, the destitute women and widows. Tamilnadu is also the first state to distribute social security assistance through banks by opening individual bank accounts which most of them never had in their lives. Delivery of assistance at the doorstep of the poor beneficiaries using biometric , smart cards eliminates corruption which was rampant earlier and ensures dignity of the recipients. In addition to proactive social security measures , the CM has focussed on important food security initiatives such as provision of 20kg rice to family cardholders and 35 kg rice to Antyodaya Anna Yojana card holders every month free of cost., and streamlining the PDS (public distribution system).


Distribution of free sanitary napkins to adolescent girls is an admirable scheme of Dr.J Jayalalithaa. The CM’s comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme was widened in coverage and improved benefiting nearly 43,000 patients needing surgery in the first year itself. Free laptops to plus 2 and college students is a beneficial step. Similiarly, tuition fees to first generation college students and facility for online registration for employment at schools are progressive measures. The milch cows, goats and sheep distributed to poor women in the villages helped raise rural income levels and milk production in the state. When the cyclone Thane wreaked havoc, the government machinery moved swiftly in arranging disaster relief and carried out long-term rehabilitation programmes with efficiency. The dismissal of the People’s Welfare Workers (though political appointees) and the anxiety caused to parents and children over the Uniform System of School Education could have been avoided. No balance sheet can be without the debit side.

Dr J Jaylalithaa’s Vision Tamilnadu 2023 is an ambitious document. It aims at 11 per cent economic growth and a Tamilnadu free of poverty and hunger. The vision can be translated into a reality in eleven years with a determined leader like Dr J Jayalalithaa, good governance, and people’s participation. It is our collective responsibility to strengthen the governments efforts to make Tamilnadu the numero uno state.

Satyamev Jayate : An Innovation in Socio- Infotainment

Aamir Khan’s Satyamev Jayate (SJ) episodes on female foeticide and child sexual abuse (many more to follow) are informative, emotive and gripping. The issues are already in the public domain thanks to the electronic media besides the newspaper and magazines.


But what makes the SJ episodes different are the anchor Aamir Khan’s social image and the innovative manner of presentation with a deft combination of information, touching presentation of personal experiences, inputs from specialists, interaction with the audience and field-centred illustrations. Extensive research work has preceded the making of the SJ episodes . Female foeticide has been shown on a very wide canvas: obsession with male children, sex identification, scanning of the foetus, coercion for abortion, domestic violence against women, unethical medical practices, declining child sex ratio, shortage of women for marriage in many places and the implications of all these elements. The sting operation by two journalists did not succeed in influencing the government. The law did not take its own course. The law breakers are left untouched, while the journalists had to face tough experiences for the exposure. The commitment of a government officer did reverse the situation effectively in one community and was shown in the episode, which gives hope.

The reach of the SJ episodes is enormous because of the simultaneous multilingual telecast and special shows in regions without access to TV. Aamir Khans’s sincerity of purpose is convincing beyond doubt. The SJ episodes have the making of a movement for social change. The early exposures in the TV channels suffered from the absence of effective follow-up. We should not miss the current opportunity initiated by Aamir Khan through the SJ episodes as the issues raised are our real issues. Let us act . Jai Hind.