Residents again

And the cat is out of the bag. CM has cheated poor doctors by giving white lies. Yet another resident doctor gets attacked in Thane. No security provided!

After spending 47 years in the profession, having 2 other doctors in the home, going through the same rigmarole I definitely feel, the malaise is not with the doctors but with the society and the heartless, emotionless government it elects who does not have empathy, not alone for the doctors but for any other segment of the society. They are busy only in saving their own seats.

The recently concluded mass leave[strike] of the doctors was not a win for the government but victory snatched away at the gunpoint. Right from the society to press to judiciary nobody was caring for the just demand of the doctors.

Always the point discussed was the hardships being faced by the patients. But the demand put by the residents,' We want safe working conditions' was totally ignored. Was it really a that big deal?

The entire discussion by all the media strayed away from this basic point and every time what was discussed was, "How the Doctor has estranged from the society in general, and how has he become more money minded and is harassing the ones who consider him no less than a god".Somewhere along the line implying that " Aren't these assaults, the culmination of these factors?" The entire discussion kept going on, on the same lines not allowing the rational one to put his point forward, absolutely one-sided game.

We have to look at this from two different angles because they are different. 

The resident doctors who work in these institutions are young girls and guys hardly in their mid-twenties. After finishing M.B.B.S., a 5 and 1/2 years long course which they get in, after really toiling for years and getting qualifying in the toughest entrance exam securing more than 90% of marks. After going through the ordeals of like another entrance and society made ones, like reservations, they are in the position with most difficulty. It's pertinent to understand that these youths, who have sacrificed their flowery days in junior college for studies, who are mostly from cultured, educated families are not callous or negligent. They face so many hurdles even carrying their mundane activities that it's not surprising that they are exasperated for lack of safety at their working place. A tremendous amount of workload in government hospitals, inadequate hostel facilities, substandard food, lack of sleep, lack of mandatory cleanliness, understaffed departments, they themselves having fewer colleagues to share the responsibilities, but they are/did not fighting/fight for these issues, they are on the roads for their own safety. I feel this must be discussed and dealt with on the war footing.

The patients who visit government hospitals are definitely underprivileged on many accounts along with the curse of illiteracy, ignorance and undernourishment and poverty. The people belonging to this stratum of society are totally unaware of the intricacies of Medical/ Health juggernaut. The paucity of equipment, staff, medicines and the sheer number of beneficiaries, it's just beyond them. After coming to a passe when medical treatment too won't work they rush to the hospital wanting everything" Now, immediately" including results. Unfortunately, class 4 officers being permanent, are not bothered about the urgency of the situation and in many instances, the resident doctor runs from pillar to post to get the things done because he is the "Face" of the hospital and he is genuinely bothered about the patient! And naturally, he is the first one to take the brunt of the ire.

Those who advise them," To leave the job if can't work in the prevailing situation" never go for the treatment to these hospitals but rush to either Hinduja or Breach Candy. And other so-called leaders cum Social workers and ministers too!

"My health is my concern" This basic concept is just miles away from Indians. Now, Immediately, ASAP and FREE is the call of the day. A mob mostly rowdy at the word go enters the casualty/hospital with a single patient and beats up a lone doctor mercilessly and rather than raising the voice for this young doctor who might lose his eye, diverting the topic to how much Doctors earn, is plain dirty politics! To earn the goodwill of masses and just to SELL!

To be continued. 
Many points are taken from article by Dr. Mohan Joshi President IMA branch Pune