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.