'Health scenario is grim; infections are on the rise'

New mutating viruses, improper use of antibiotics resulting into stress, incorrect lifestyle and imbalanced dietary habits among others are resulting into different types of problems and aliments. A member of Indian Association of Gynaecological Endoscopists, Dr Nivedita Pawar, who was recently elected unopposed as the president of Nashik unit of Indian Medical Association (IMA) speaks to DNA on the various kinds of ailments and what people need to do to keep them away.

How would you rate the present health scenario?
The health scenario is grim. Infections of various types are on the rise. There is increased resistance to antibiotics. Ailments related to cardiac, hypertension, cancer, diabetes and spinal cord are on the rise. Many are suffering from medical complications due to obesity. There are concerns of malnourishment too and health problems faced by pregnant women. However, with advancement of medical science, better treatments are also available. The methods of investigations about ailments have improved. There are new drugs to treat the ailing.

As a medical practitioner, what are the challenges before you?
Unfortunately, people are not aware about how to avoid falling prey to various diseases. Proper awareness and information can help a person understand one’s body and maintain it properly. The other challenge is the increasing cost of treatment, which includes screening, diagnostics, surgeries and medication. The expenses of medicines, equipment, maintaining a medical setting, training and retaining staff and running cost of a hospital have gone up.

How can the IMA help in such a situation?
IMA is working for people and doctors. For the people, awareness programmes, free check-up camps, check-up of children, senior citizens are done at regular intervals. For the doctors, updation programmes like continuous medical education (CME) are held regularly. The medico legal cell helps lend support to a doctor, if he is attacked or threatened by aggrieved parties in spite of no mistake of his.

Are the medical practitioners looking after their own health?
Cases of doctors falling victims to lifestyle diseases have increased. This is because of tremendous work pressure. Most of the times doctors work under great stress even at odd hours.
All this is resulting in doctors facing cardiac, hypertension, spinal and digestive problems. Although the doctors are aware about the methods to prevent such diseases, they simply lack time. So there is a need to draw attention of doctors to maintain their own health. To reduce this burden, doctors can think of group practice, delegation of work, effective management skills and some understanding from the patients.