Every year First July is observed as the National Doctors Day to commemorate Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, the second chief minister of West Bengal and a renowned physician, who was born and passed away on this day. This is a special occasion for us to introspect the profession’s contributions, achievements and present state of affairs and to draw strategies for future so as to strengthen the role of medical profession in building a healthy society. Therefore the celebrations on this day should not remain merely a ritual with doctors getting greetings from their friends, family members and pharmaceutical companies. Many associations of the doctors organize seminars, medical camps and other such activities on this day. However a doctor is more than just a professional and practice of medicine is not only a profession but a passion. A doctor tries to allay both the physical and mental suffering of fellow human beings. It is therefore important that we work for the betterment of health through scientific analysis of various factors involved in the causation of disease.
I was overwhelmed when I got a message of greetings from my daughter in law. Soon, however I realised that this was not just a greetings message but a set of expectations the patient and society as a whole have from a doctor. Whereas the knowledge and wisdom form the basis of our professional expertise, it is the dedication, kindness, support, empathetic, encouraging and compassionate filled words which form the core of medical professional’s duty for the commitment to improving the lives of others and for relieving and healing the pain. In addition it is calming and comforting the fear and being patient. Every day you touch a life and life touches you.
Through the advancement in science and various research, by far we have learnt that disease is caused because of various factors and is affected by several socio-economic, environmental and political processes. From the ancient description of the diseases in different parts of the world, we have evolved the modern scientific medicine which has tried to study the above mentioned in an evidence based manner. Whereas we are proud of the work done by our ancestors based on the contemporary knowledge, it would be unwise to keep on harping on that. Science has moved forward, so has the medicine. From the time of mythical treatments when man had little knowledge of the happenings around, the human society developed ways of medicine which played a big role during that period. However advancing the existing knowledge the modern scientific developments in medicine changed the concept of pathological processes that caused the disease. So we have developed several new methods of medical and surgical treatment which have changed our lives. The new technology during the recent period has speeded up the advances conceptually as well as in their application manifold.
It is however unfortunate that even today there exists gross inequity in health care delivery system to various sections of our population. This is true globally. The economic disparities between the erstwhile colonial powers and the present day developing countries are reflected in the healthcare delivery as well. This was very obvious during the global COVID pandemic. Many of the developing countries lacked technical knowhow and infrastructure for the management of COVID. They were exploited by the big pharmaceutical companies particularly the vaccine producing ones. The governments of these countries were made to sign one sided agreements if they wanted to purchase vaccines.
Inequality in healthcare delivery is very much present in India too. Whereas every type of advanced facility is available to those who have money, the poor and the marginalised sections, women and informal sector workers continue to face the brunt. As a result of out of pocket expenditure on health 6.3 croe are pushed to poverty every year even today.
As doctors, it is painful for us to see patients in such conditions dying without proper quality healthcare. Therefore we have to understand and raise our voice for equity in healthcare. Present day public spending on health is only around 1.2% of the GDP against the required 6%. As doctors, we should impress upon the government to increase budget allocation to health.
There is need to increase wages of the population to strengthen their purchasing capacity, and to ensure healthy environment and good working conditions. A clean drinking water supply and healthy nutrition is the basic requirement to prevent diseases. Improvement in social relations and harmony in society is a vital factor to ensure good health to our people. We have to demand changes in the policies which effect health of the people. Violence prevention and resolution of conflicts through dialogue is an issue of serious concern for doctors.
It is a matter of great worry that there is increasing role of corporations in medical education and health provision. Their motive is only profit making which is against the basic concept of health for all. Doctors have to learn to resist the pressure of commercialisation to fulfil the commitment for health to all.
Dr Arun Mitra is a Practicing ENT Surgeon in Ludhiana, Punjab. He is also the President of Indian Doctors for Peace and Development (IDPD) www.idpd.org
