Show: Satyameva Jayate episode 4Host: Aamir Khan Rating: ***
After highlighting a series of social issues affecting Indian society, film actor Aamir Khan, in the fourth episode of his show Satyameva Jayate, turned the spotlight on healthcare and malpractices in the medical profession. Compromised ethics, corruption, scandalous revelations in medical treatments were among issues highlighted by Khan with the help of research and experts.
Khan emphasised on the fragility of life and how cheaply some rogue Indian doctors treat it. Right from prescribing wrong medication and students paying astronomical fees for medical education, to genuine doctors practicing to serve humanity — SatyamevaJayate held a mirror to one of the most neglected areas of public life. The audience comprised of medical students and members of the fraternity.
Incidents involving an army major and his wife (who died because of forced surgery) and patients being mislead regarding illnesses were relayed. But the shocking tale was that of a village in Andhra Pradesh where women (on a large scale) were advised to undergo operations for uterus removal. Dr PV Ramesh, who was among the guests on the show, said it is impossible that so many women would have had to undergo the operation. As a result of those faulty operations, women are unable to conceive and have been lurching in the throes of poverty.
Giving insight on the issue, Dr CM Gulhati, editor, Monthly Index of Medical Specialties, said that the root cause of healthcare issues in India was because it features at the bottom of the government’s priority list. He expressed concern about the undue importance given to private medical colleges and the neglect of developing government ones, which, according to him can go a long way in addressing anomalies.
The show also touched upon malpractices in the sale of medicines and how Indians cough up more than 100% of the cost involved in making of those drugs. As a solution, Khan introduced and promoted the unique concept of generic drugs. After throwing in statistics and facts comparing the healthcare systems in England and India, Khan spoke to Dr KK Talwar, chairman of Medical Council of India, who assured him that constructive steps would be taken to put an end to malpractices.
The positive side of the Indian healthcare system was highlighted with the showcasing of work by Dr Devi Prasad Shetty’s Narayana Hrudayalaya in Bangalore that treats poor patients using affordable schemes. By just depositing say Rs10 every month, Dr Shetty helps people from the lower strata of society to undergo expensive surgeries which would have been impossible otherwise.
Satyameva Jayate also showed that only 1.4% of the nation’s GDP is spent by the government to look after the health of our gigantic population.
The issue of healthcare was well presented, but has not elicited the kind of response the first three episodes did.