The vibes from the banging thalis & taalis hadn't even faded away, the petals dropped from the choppers hadn't even settled on the ground, the lit wicks from oil lamps hadn't even blown away... and even as the HM wasn't done with his whirlwind tour around the state presenting plush bouquets to doctors & staff of hospitals; just then the oft revered position of the doctor got back into limelight, albeit for the wrong reason this time round.
The issue of assault on a doctor by an aggrieved relative who had lost his new born baby nephew is hogging the media realty at Goa these days. Claims and counter-claims are flying thick and fast; police seemingly dragging feet, doctors threatening with tools down, rumours of political interference in the probe making rounds.
I had tweeted back during the peak of the pandemic that the doctors don't need flimsical display of affection; rather they would be much more happy with decent work conditions, respectable salary, sensible work timings and ofcourse safeguard from physical & mental abuse at workplace.
Needless to say, workplace violence is to be deplored and no-one is entitled to take law in one's own hand. The accused should be brought to the book; and his political connections notwithstanding, the due course of law and justice should be prevail.
Police's action or rather lack of it have since been questioned. However whats more questionable to me were the actions and reactions of the eminent doctors of Goa.
IMA-Goa was quick to get in a huddle to shield one of its ilk, which didn't come as a surprise. Finally its not just a reputation of a doctor that has just taken a beating (pun not intended) but its the faith in the profession that is what at stake.
It was heartening to see the "Who's who?" of medical fraternity of Goa present at the Porvorim police in support of one of their aggrieved colleague while demanding action against the accused. What was missing though was objectivity and empathy.Some of the statements made by imminent medical professionals of Goa were appalling, and showed sheer lack of compassion and not befitting any ordinary human being, much less a doctor.
An eminent doctor -more often seen on political dias than with a stetch around his neck- was quick to give a clean chit claiming its a conginetal heart condition that led to the death. Perhaps it was, but how do you know? Was a post-mortem conducted on the infant ascertaining the cause. If so, how did you get the copy and who authorised you to make it public? Whereas one of your colleague brandished the 'hypocritical oath', what about patient confidentiality and consent?
Even if this not inhuman enough, there was another doctor who very gloriously claimed "Marpaacho ashillo, melo!" (which translates to 'he was meant to die, thus he died' in konkani). Who the hell has given you the power to issue death warrant?
You were meant to save lives as a doctor and not sure if you are succeeding a 100% at that. Least you can do it not try to be the judge, jury and the executioner. Much less, don't act like a God.
A human trait were clearly evident when one suggested 'indefinite' tool down; only to be swiftly overruled and corrected by another to make it 24 hour. Priorities and motivations driving their practice were clearly evident thus.
It's fair upto an extent that you came out in support of your colleague and pass a strict message that any sort of violence won't be tolerated, but dont overstep your brief. What could have been ideal is if you have shown some objectivity and suggested this case be referred to proper agency for impartial investigations to rule out case medical negligence rather than doling out clean chits.
In this times, when the medical science has advanced and so much technological support is available, its tough to believe that such alleged congenital abnormalities are not picked in the zillions of scans and tests that are recommended nowadays and the parents undergo even if they cost them an arm and a leg. Even in the rarest case when these abnormalities are missed, it hardly comforting that there isn't any consistency in the medical condition that is being conveyed to the family members; much less the secrecy, lack of communication and coordination as perceived from the accused's narration of the incident. Also, the allegation by the accused that there are many such cases in the past pertaining the same doctor doesn't bode much confidence and shouldn't be overlooked. Cases of doctors practicing without a formal degree isn't all that unheard off in this country.
My locus standi in this comes from being able to relate to parties of either side of the Isle.
Having been through a similar situation a few years back when I lost my beloved niece to sheer negligence of an eminent paediatrician based at Ponda gives me locus standi in this matter. No, not the absence of political connections or lack of grief that stopped us from pursuing the case to its logical end, just that we wanted to mourn, we wanted a closure and most importantly we wanted peace, especially for the departed soul. But unlike us, there might be others family who seek to pursue the case, demand justice for their plight and unaware of any avenue to seek answers except the treating doctor. Thus it puts them in a confrontational position.
Being married to a doctor myself, I am pretty familiar with the struggles on the other side. I see my wife battle it day in and day out, the weird shift timings, the absent parent to a growing kid, working on the weekends, the hazardous work environment and once in a while an aggrieved and abusive patient - a la professional hazard.
I was really moved by this news and could relate to this situation.But what sprung me in voicing my opinions here was that one heartless statement not befitting any human being, much less a doctor. He sounded more like 'Chitragupta' and less like 'Dhanvantari'. Perhaps it was 'the heat of the moment', making him just as fallible thus shattering the oft revered analogy with god; and thus getting you on the same footing as the accused.
A doctor being a god is a fallacious construct of the past and don't hold ground in these modern times and sooner the public (and some doctors themselves) come to terms with this 'FACT', the better. They being mere mortals should be clearly ingrained in our minds and will help people acknowledge their fallibility.
What's the need of the hour is clear cut laws against workplace violence and its implementation to the tee. But equally important is processes being in place for impartial investigation of cases of medical negligence. Also awareness about the redressal process should be well formulated and made easily accessible. What's needed is an appellate body for redressal of public grievance who have lost a beloved one or left impaired or suffered physically, mentally, emotionally due to a human error. It will also make the medical practitioners more accountable. As Ibstated earlier, doctors arent gods and they shouldnt be made sacrosanct.
At the end of the day, remember that a mother has lost a child. A life she nurtured over 9 months, a hope she held perhaps even longer and plans she had for decades in the future have been shattered in a matter of hours. This hasn't just left behind a scarred womb but a scarred soul, which may never heal.
P.S: I have since come across another video wherein the alleged victim doctor is threatening to 'technically' kill the accused; I will refrain from dwelling deep into it, leaving you with the thought whether he is acting there like a God, a human or a .....
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