25.03.2011
My first post in 2011!
I am posting this blog on a frustrated mindset, after reading an annoying news item in a Malayalam Daily.
Before getting in to details, let me confess that there are no words to praise the "Child & Mother Care" services that are being offered by the Government Health Centers in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Because, a few months back, I got a telephone call from the local Health Center here, reminding me of my infant daughter's vaccination which was slated for the next day!! I was surprised thinking as to how efficient was their appointment-tracking system and also on the involvement of Government hospitals in the health issues of residents, including expatriates. After every visit to the Health Center, the staff ensures that the subsequent appointment dates are noted systematically in the corresponding Medical Records and also in the handouts that are issued to infant's parents. My kudos to the team for keeping track of these matters, better than some parents, at least. (I swear, I would have missed out one appointment of such kind, but was saved by the nurse from the Health Center who called me and reminded about that on time!).
There could be debates after reading this post, comparing Bahrain and India. But, considering the manpower strength and academic strength we have in India, I truly hope that India can improve the facilities and infrastructure to cater to the basic necessities and amenities to the poor.
Back in India, precisely in my home state Kerala, of late, we have been reading a lot about strikes by doctors, nurses, house-surgeons, medical staff etc. etc. For the strikers, they must be having their own claims and reasons for justifying their movement and protests. But, prima facie, medical profession needs to be considered not as a money-making PROFESSION, but as a SERVICE - a responsible and an accountable service to the mankind.
It is heart-breaking to see the plight of untidy Government hospitals back home where we see people from all walks of life queuing up for basic treatment, bribing the doctors for better treatment & their special attention on some occasions, run around for medicines and subsequently getting ill treatment by the staff!! Nowadays, are we failing to see MERCY and HUMANITY in medical profession ? This situation is alarming, I must say.
State Assembly elections are round the corner. Unfortunately, no election manifestos have come to my notice, addressing the heath issues or mentioning enhancement of facilities of Government hospitals and the needs of the poor. I have a dream, of having doctors and practitioners taking the position of Health Ministers.
What ignited me to post a blog today was a news item which I read in today's 'Mangalam' newspaper (Malayalam). For those who can read Malayalam, the news item is available at: http://mangalam.com/index.php?page=detail&nid=407844&lang=malayalam
The translation is as follows :-
An infant born to a poor couple in Alappuzha District (Kerala State) had to live in pain for 34 days, with a broken needle on his thigh. The incident, reportedly happened at the Government Medical College, Alappuzha when the baby had his vaccinations on his third day. Due to the grave mistake by the nursing staff, the needle got broken while injecting, and could not be taken back. Most probably on an attempt to sweep the issue under the carpet, the panic-stricken nurses / hospital insisted the parents to get the baby discharged from the hospital immediately. On reaching home also, the baby cried relentlessly, day and night. The baby was again taken to the hospital, but none of the doctors could diagnose the root cause of baby's uneasiness even after noticing the baby crying whenever his legs were shaken. Much to baby's relief, last night his father realized some indifference on baby's thighs and got it further checked thoroughly and discovered the cause.
As per the newspaper report, the needle piece spanning almost an inch was removed and thankfully, the baby is recuperating.
In this context. who was responsible for the baby's suffering?
In this context. who was responsible for the baby's suffering?
In spite of frequent 'birth and growth' of private hospitals in every city, the Government Hospitals are the only solace for poor citizens who cannot afford high medical bills. The doctors and medical staff who exploit the helpless poor must realize that they are paid their salaries from the taxes levied by the Government (comprising everyone - poor and rich, immaterial of caste, creed, region or religion).
Though it is challenging, let us collectively think of ways to improve the already-messed-up medical facilities in Government hospitals and take this forward. Like INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, I envisage India showcasing the strengths on MEDICAL infrastructure very soon.
Let our Government hospitals be MEDICALLY FIT and be a source of support to one and all, including the poor and downtrodden! God bless!
Let us hope for the best.
Jai Hind!
Renjith P Sarada
(C) All rights reserved. 2011
