DNA Edit: Doctors of doom

A disturbing video showing two doctors engaged in a verbal spat in the operation theatre of Jodhpur’s largest child and maternity hospital, while the patient lay on the table, reiterates the shocking state of healthcare in India. The criminal indifference of the doctors is particularly galling because, as the viral video shows, they were keener on running each other down than attending to the woman.

Forget Hippocratic Oath, a significant number of doctors exploit the vulnerability of patients for financial gains. These are the very people we have to trust, and put our lives at grave risk. It was a blessing that the Rajasthan High Court took suo motu cognisance of the case and ordered an inquiry, which translated into some prompt action. But punishing the doctors doesn’t address the deep rot in the medical system across the country.

How many times have doctors been held accountable for their criminal negligence and apathy, or even incompetence? Those who have the means to drag doctors to court are faced with a long-drawn judicial process, but the poor have to accept this injustice as their fate. Little wonder that the medical profession has increasingly come under the scanner and viewed with suspicion and mistrust. While civic hospitals continue to remain in a derelict state, private institutions may hay while the sun shines. And in the midst of a despicable state of affairs, doctors mint money through various ways. It’s unfortunate that the sanctity of the medical profession has been severely compromised.