Spicy news over a good healthcare system- Choice is ours!
To begin with, I would like to convey my condolences to the family of the little girl Adya Singh, who had to leave this beautiful world at such a young age. Also, my heart goes out to the family that lost twin foetuses at Max Hospital.
Was going through some of the social media posts of some friends, and found that in general public opinion (driven by our mainstream media) Max hospital declared a "living newborn" as dead. Fact check: It was a 22 weeks foetus. So, either this (https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/supreme-court-allows-pune-woman-to-abort-24-week-foetus/article19592799.ece) was a supreme court permiting a woman to murder her child, or as per the medical & legal definition, the 22 weeker was a non-viable foetus.
Now, let us imagine, with all the recent developments, had the Max hospital doctors even tried to save the foetus, and as per the probability figures failed eventually in doing so, what would have been the scenario then? The same media that is accusing the hospital now, would have accused them of minting money on dead babies (obviously those attempts to resuscitate would have costed a bomb).
Hold on! Isn't that the same thing the media is doing in Adya's case?
That brings me to a vital question. What were those learned doctors supposed to do? Which of the paths, would have helped them in maintaining their respect and dignity (and perhaps even their job!)?
I feel the society, these days, is being too unfair to the medical professionals. Please spare a thought about those doctors, whose names have been highlighted in the media. Their reputation is tainted for life, at least in this country! What do they do? Leave the country, like most of their colleagues? That would be the only option they would have, and that would be really great for them, because this society, clearly, doesn't deserve them. It wouldn't be their loss, but the society's.
In a country where we are already struggling with the shortage of manpower, issues like these (including those of violence against doctors) only aggravate the troubles of the society, by encouraging the professionals to leave. The media is not helping either. They are busy with their "TRPs".
The society needs to decide, what it wants, Spicy news or a good healthcare system!
Manager Operations at ILS Hospitals
6 年Could not agree with you more Sir....
Consultant : Healthcare, Consumer Goods, E-commerce etc. Professional Learning: 20+ Years
6 年Thanks Dr. Mehta for putting the things in correct context. There is urgent need for an ombudsman in healthcare.
Managing Director at EURAFRIC PHARMA P. LTD.
6 年The media should have a medical correspondent to cover such cases atleast someone who can decipher medical terminology and the hospital should not shy away from the media otherwise they will have a free run. Also doctor introspection is necessary all of them are not Saints which is again a well documented fact.
Making Sense of Digital for Pharma
6 年Good post Dr Dr Puneet Mehta These voices are needed to clear the air. Healthcare professionals are an important and integral part of society. Medical professionals and govt, civil society, media and all stakeholders need to sit down and deliberate on the way ahead. Confrontation does not benefit anybody. Doctors need to introspect why their noble profession has taken such a beating? What needs to be done to rebuild trust? That said it is heartening that nurses and doctors are still the most trusted professionals in the UK. Wish we had some data from India.
Director,Lead Cost Analyst at Cuesstado Healthcare Consulting Private Limited
6 年Congrats Dr.Puneet for posting a well analysed point...... Exactly this is what required. Media should check N validate the information based on science of medicine with experts and publish this needs a kind of audited med.report system....not for TRP ....as by doing this media plays a major role in creating trust deficit n blanket approach. Govt,media n public has a role.