A doctor’s loyalty should be towards the society and to his patients. Even when the mistakes are pointed out, it should be done in such a way that it doesn’t shatter the morale of medical fraternity in the state. Many of the complaints raised against doctors are uncalled for.
It is always small hospital and family doctors who play an important role in making medical costs affordable to all. The need of the hour is a three-tier system. A patient should first consult his family doctor and should visit the hospital only if he is referred there.
In recent times, nearly 500 small hospitals have closed down in the state. The government should revive these hospitals by dolling out tax benefits and grants. The hospitals run by doctors treat patients without any business mind.
If a hospital continues ventilator treatment even after occurrence of death it should be reported to IMA and medical council with proof. Action will be taken against erring hospitals and I am sure no doctor with ethics will support such unholy practices.
It is not right to blame doctors in the name of generic medicines. Why are the privileged in the society using branded medicines? Doctors take branded medicines for personal use because it of its quality. The doctors can prescribe the same medicines which he gives to his family to his patients and it is based on the quality of the medicine. However, under the present circumstances there is no government mechanism to detect the quality of medicines.
The IMA has made it clear that doctors will prescribe generic medicines if government can ensure that all medicines are of same quality.
At present even if the doctor prescribes generic medicine, the sales man at medical stores can decide which medicine he has to give to the patients. Isn’t it better that the decision making should be vested with doctor who is responsible for curing the disease?
IMA’s demand is that the state government should manufacture generic medicines and distribute it through public distribution system. If government can sell sealed liquor bottles through its public distribution system why can’t they sell medicines in the same way? Isn’t it possible for the country, which can send a satellite to Mars, to manufacture instruments for making medicines?
We should know who are behind the high prices of medicines. The National Pharmaceutical Processing Authority (NPPA) under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers are responsible for controlling the price of medicines and doctors have no role in it. Can’t NPPA demand companies to price medicines according to its manufacturing cost? Can’t they bring commonly used medicines under price control?
The doctors and IMA have so far worked with utmost loyalty and obligation to the society. The IMA conducts medical camps and have adopted schools and villages. The IMA also runs schemes to help poor patients, palliative care and blood banks through voluntary help from doctors.
An ethical committee and Grievance redressal forum is functioning to look into complaints arising in medical profession. This forum should be used to change the miniscule minority among doctors who follow unethical principles. The medical fraternity welcomes such moves.
(The author is former State President of Indian Medical Association)
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