Shocking videos of journalists interrogating doctors inside ICU are doing the rounds.
Zee News Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary did a DNA Analysis of the insensitive journalism that has taken place following the unfortunate death of children in Bihar suffering from Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) , a mysterious brain fever.
He took strong cognizance of the videos that have gone viral on social media where some anchors are seen to be intimidating doctors and nurses in the only government hospital in Muzaffarpur, Bihar where the infrastructure is currently crumbling owing to huge rush of patients. The high-handed way journalists are talking with doctors who are not responsible for developing infrastructure was called out during the show. Also, Chaudhary asked if the anchors who are barging into ICU to ask questions in a rude manner can do the same when they meet Bihar CM Nitish Kumar to demand accountability.
The death toll due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) rose to 115 in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district on Wednesday, as a Public Interest Litigation was filed in the Patna High Court urging it to direct the state government to take adequate action to contain the outbreak.
The Muzaffarpur administration updated the toll reported at the Shri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) hospital to 95 from 93, a figure released in the morning. At the privately-owned Kejriwal hospital, the number of deceased patients remained at 19 with no fresh casualties being reported in over 24 hours. One child died in East Champaran district on Tuesday.
The total number of AES-afflicted children said to be under treatment at the two facilities was stated to be 166, of which 138 are at the SKMCH.
The total number of AES cases registered so far at the two hospitals was 535 -- 383 at SKMCH and 152 at Kejriwal hospital.
Zee News Editor-in-chief also tweeted:
Tragedy is a commodity.पत्रकारिता में त्रासदी एक बिकाऊ वस्तु बन गयी है।भावनाओं की सेल लगती है,आँसुओं की पैकिजिंग होती है और फिर शानदार coverage के लिए पुरस्कार लूटे जाते हैं।आज से आप इन्हें #पुरस्कार #गैंग भी कह सकते हैं।त्रासदी=टी आर पी https://t.co/GWGxoW2D1A
— Sudhir Chaudhary (@sudhirchaudhary) June 19, 2019
He slammed the journalists who are merely trying to exploit tragedy for getting TRPs and to get recognition and awards. Chaudhary said that such people can be said as part of 'Puraskar Gang'.
With agency inputs
1. Mistakes done by the journalists running for TRP exploiting human tragedy
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As Sudhir Chaudhary pointed out, some of the mistakes journalists are committing during their hospital coverage are
1. They are getting busy in Death Tourism
2. Extremely insensitive journalism
3. Channels running for TRP and heckling doctors in the process
4. Aggressive reporting only for TRP, not for children
5. Journalists entering ICU without due permission
6. They don't even follow procedure, increasing the chances of infection by carrying camera, mike, shoes etc
7. Rhetorical questions are asked to patients and doctors
8. Blaming doctors and nurses for problems in a government hospital is wrong
(Image-PTI)
2. Validation from TRP is dangerous
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Sudhir Chaudhary also pointed out in the programme how once one channel does a live from ICU, there is a herd mentality and other channels too follow suit. So hence it becomes one mad rush for TRP leaving behind common sense and humanity. He also points that if those journalists get validation from TRP, they would repeat their antics in future too.
It also leads to politicians coming to visit, which is just another roundabout way of 'Death tourism'.
(Image-AFP)
3. Hospital has now tightened security in ICU
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SKMCH has not given a notice that no outsiders will not be allowed in the ICU. Common people too have given feedback to the journalists that they have crossed the line in this matter.
Their is an acute shortage of resource in the country which often leads to flaring up of temper. While the population is rapidly increasing, and they are more aspirational in nature, the delivery system haven't been able to keep up with it, leading to problem. It needs a deep introspection and work from all quarters not rabble rousing journalism for the sake of TRP.
(Image-PTI)
4. Bhim Army too barged into SKMCH
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ANI reported:
The members of Bhim Army on Wednesday allegedly barged into the chamber of Shri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) Superintendent Dr Sunil Shahi, seeking prompt and better treatment to the patients of acute encephalitis syndrome (AES).
"If you care about the well-being of the children, allow us to work. There is a lot of disturbance. I am going to make a complaint to the District Magistrate," Dr Shahi told the Bhim Army workers.
"Chief Minister Nitish Kumar took cognizance of the issue after we burnt his effigy along with that of Health Minister Mangal Pandey five days ago. We are here to take stock of the situation," said one of the Bhim Army workers.
(Image-PTI)
