While poor patients suffer
The saga of the young doctors is an unfortunate reflection on the state of our society itself. A closed mindset, a penchant for theatrical behavior, a stubborn unwillingness to negotiate or to meet one another halfway for resolving damaging disputes, and a ready resort to violence are familiar features which we cannot seem to outgrow in any sphere. That quite a few young doctors are on hunger strike for the past four days is or should have been a matter of paramount concern for the Punjab government and the Health department. But then one finds there is no health minister in the province to sort out such matters forthwith. This is indeed strange when one considers the tragic episodes of spurious medicines that claimed well over a hundred lives in two instances and the lingering issue of expired medicines and out of order equipment in the hospitals.
That the young doctors are striking for the umpteenth time in the last four years and are being compelled to resort to such trade union tactics in a noble vocation is yet another example of our universal apathy and aversion to a face-saving compromise on both sides. The savage beating up of the senior doctors in a Gujranwala hospital brings dishonor and disrepute to the doers in the public eye, as does the callous turning away of seriously ill and poor patients who may have come from far off places for their treatment. Some have died due to lack of timely attention. It goes against the very grain of the Hippocratic Oath which every new doctor is obliged to take, at least in foreign climes, as a solemn pledge to always serve suffering humanity. We must also admit that there are many idealists amongst the young doctors who are in the frontline in providing succour to thousands of patients everyday (sometimes three to a bed), they demand free medicines for the masses and raise a hue and cry when the latest machines installed at hospitals at taxpayer’s expense remain out of order for long, intentionally or otherwise. In fact they are performing one of the primary functions of any civilized state: providing affordable health services to the needy.
The government must look after its own. The service structure issue must be settled – immediately and amicably. Both sides need to shed the hard line before the situation turns even more tragic. Doctors should also try to work with the politicians, and not turn into politicians themselves. The junior doctors in England also went on a peaceful strike recently to air their genuine grievances, but for one day only and that too after forty years!
