Several years back, it was brought to my attention that one private hospital in South Goa, was in the habit of admitting all patients in ICU, irrespective of the gravity of his/her case. The restricted entry to this ward would allow malpractices as regards the administration and consumption of medicines to the patients, without the notice of the relatives. Apparently, medicines prescribed earlier were being recommended again without the possibility of the earlier ones having exhausted. The suspicion was that unused stock of medicines was returned to the hospital pharmacy, by the staff, for being sold to another patient. I had, then, written, in these very columns, an article under the caption “Hospitals for health or for wealth”? The unfortunate practice has not been altogether abandoned by some hospitals having their own pharmacies. Obviously with patient’s treatment being paramount for the family, the latter do not create an issue over such illicit dealings. But such hospitals need to realise that some people pay out of their little savings to give the best to their families. The Government must have an eye on these wrongdoings, but in a corrupt system like ours, nothing much can be expected.
There are also allegations that some private hospitals, which are covered by Government’s Deen Dayal S. S. Y. Scheme, charge patients in addition to what is due and received by them directly from the insurance company. Similarly, when a patient is admitted, the first query, in some private hospitals, is whether the patient holds a medical insurance, in which case bills get inflated as they are reimbursed by the Insurance Co. Though, personally, I would be happy that the Insurance Companies rightly get their share of injustice, as they are generally unfair and harass their clients, surely this is not right, as the patient too suffers with his insurance cover getting reduced to the extent of payment made to the hospital. Though these are known common practices in some private hospitals, our Governments which ought to take action, prefer to ignore the malpractices or look the other way, of course for some suspicious reason.
To avoid such exploitation by some private hospitals, it is imperative that Government Hospitals are provided with the best of equipment and personnel, particularly doctors, competent, knowledgeable and dedicated. The attempts by a few Govt. doctors to divert patients to their own or their close friends’ private hospitals must also be curbed with an iron hand.
Efforts being made to improve the treatment and conditions at our Goa Medical College need to be appreciated. The cleanliness at the hospital has definitely improved and at least the common toilet is cleaner that our airport toilet was, some time ago or perhaps even now. Strays around the hospital need to be eliminated. One of the main deficiencies at GMC is that patients from outside Goa take much of time and space, thus putting locals at a disadvantage. This issue needs to be tackled humanely but firmly, to avoid misuse.
Though there perhaps are Departments in GMC, which excel in competence and humane treatment, increasing cardiac cases in Goa make the Cardiology Dept. of GMC, worthy of special mention. The doctors from the team from this department could perhaps have built their own hospitals or lent their services to private hospitals, but, they opted to serve, through their Alma Mater, the people of Goa, especially those who cannot afford expensive treatment elsewhere. They have thus made GMC & Goa proud and earned the eternal gratitude of their compatriots. I salute them and other dedicated doctors at GMC for their honesty, competence, hard work and especially their humane approach, which I myself witnessed on my occasional visits to GMC.
Recently, the International Human Rights Association, felicitated in Margao, two eminent doctors: surgeon Vithal Vasant Kamat and GMC cardiologist Manjunath Desai. Well deserving honour for two people who have earned the hearts of those who received their care and medical attention. Hopefully such felicitations will continue so as to encourage more doctors to follow in their footsteps and emulate their dedication and good deeds
It has been rightly said of doctors that “in nothing do men more closely resemble gods than in giving health to men”. Goa is proud and fortunate to have doctors practicing both in Govt and private hospitals as also in private practice, who have till today, upheld the dignity of their profession and the rich legacy of selfless and devoted doctors of yesteryears. Their professional competence, honesty, integrity and dedication are impeccable. They have not allowed their vocation to be sullied and debased by corruption and greed which have affected almost every section of our society. Many of them have drained their finances, through capitation fees for their courses, yet they have commendably ennobled their profession. They surely believe that prayers and grateful hearts are worth much more than acquisition of wealth. Hence, dedicated and conscientious doctors would do well in cautioning hospitals, where they serve, against exploitation and greed. Some of these hospitals need these doctors more than the latter need the former.
May it never happen that anyone belonging to this noble vocation, ever allow himself/herself to join the ever increasing tribe of other mercenaries in this State…
(The author is a retired banker)
