Now Medical Profession is Even Risky at the Hands of Zilla Panchayat Honchos?
Mangaluru : Before going further into this report, I just want to ask a simple question to Madam Meenakashi Shanthigodu- the new president of Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat is “How many times have you visited any of the sub- Zilla Panchayat offices in the district, and checked how the staff work there, how they attend to peoples’ grievances and HOW MUCH CORRUPTION IS GOING ON TO GET A WORK DONE?”- I bet the answer will be NO, or couple of times, but never bothered to sleuth into the activities or working conditions of the staff. Oh well- then what was the need of this ZP President to harass a young professional doctor who was doing her duties, or may be not intentionally was little late in attending a patient- but there was no need to yell and video tape the conversation and publicize on social media- thus creating a ugly relationship between a Professional Govt Employee and a MORE Professional Young lady Doctor. The issue seemed like a Lady Vs Lady issue?
Like one citizen of Mangaluru, Ashok Bhat has mentioned on the MCC Civic group whatsApp page, “I too have interacted with Madam Meenakshi Shanthigodu twice, I never seen loosing her patience and gone beyond human values. Even in ZP meetings she handled issues very cool and calm. Being elected representatives they should be more responsibility towards society. In West Bengal – what happened we are all know. Further, fortunately, it is lady Vs lady, if not there is a chance of giving different picture”. Well said by Bhat- then what went wrong with Madam Meenakshi’s attitude. But yet another person has posted his comment on whatsApp saying, “She is talking of her ego, and if she is representative of ZP doesn’t make her big. The doctor was seeing patients and she can’t order to come and answer her. She is expecting “Raja Praja” attitude. Which is very bad”.
Rashmi Kundapur in her WhatsApp message says “I too know the doctor personally and know how cool, good and sincere she is. And all of us know (Doctors) we are not bound to any ZP member but to our patients. I am sorry to say ZP member can’t come and order the doctor to come and explain about a patient. Also that the doctor was seeing other patients. There is something called confidentiality between patients and doctor, a ZP member can’t be posing herself beyond this relationship. I am doctor by profession and know how duties work. What happened in WB is not right and not expected from patients. Everyone has their responsibility towards society. Because she is elected member she can’t have Raja attitude. In the whole video we can see who was talking calm and who was shouting. Shouting is out of agitation and not because something is wrong”
Then we have Jevi’s comments on this MCC Civic Group WhatsApp page stating, “I strongly condemn the behavior of the ZP President. Her body language, tone is so arrogant, it shows her ego for holding the position. She is elected to serve the people and not to boss over the others. She has absolutely no right to intervene in the working pattern of any institution, even if someone has come to her with grievances. She should address the relevant authorities and look into the matter. The way she interacts in this video is just appalling”. Few other comments posted are- “Please note It is not that I am conveying that the Lady Doctor is at fault. Being a Doctor, they have also more responsibility towards society. Unless we understand the complete situation and history of each one / case – arriving conclusion is very difficult”.
“Doctor and patient relationship – Yes, ZP member can’t question it. There is a procedure to it” “This is ridiculous people saying which has no meaning at all. And what all ZP members do, we all know it better. When whole of Puttur knows who is right and who is wrong. I don’t want to answer WhatsApp tigers” “Peoples immaturity is shown when they run out of words post unnecessary videos and talk rubbish. Boss, it shows your frustration level. Kindly don’t go to any doctor next time. Treat yourself with media person. Thank you very much”- these are among a bunch of comments already posted, may be few hundred more are on their way.
Dr B Sachidananda-the President of Indian Medical association-Mangaluru speaking to Team Mangalorean said, ” Mangaluru branch of Indian Medical Association strongly condemns the abusive behavior of Smt Meenakshi Shantigodu, the President of Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat with Dr. Archana Karikala, a duty doctor at Government hospital, Puttur recently. With a reason of enquiring about patient’s health Smt Shantigodu has threatened and abused the sincerely working Dr Archana , which has caused inconvenience in care of patients. This irresponsible behavior of Jilla Panchayat President has caused immense pain to doctors and public. We request administration to take serious note of this shameful incident, take stringent action against the offender and prevent such events in future so that doctors could work in a safe environment.
Dr Sathish Bhat, a plastic surgeon in Mangaluru speaking to Team Mangalorean said, It was indeed wrong on DK President of ZP Meenakshi S to abuse a young paediatrician Dr Asha, claiming treatment neglect to a 11-year old girl who was allegedly beaten in police lock-up, simply because of her SC/ST status. Do doctors treat patients looking at their caste or religion? Any worse way to abuse and demean a doctor. When the doctors went to police station to file a complaint against Ms Meenakshi, but I believe things didn’t turn up out well there also. Perhaps Ms Meenakshi and Police station staff in Puttur can be forgiven for not knowing all this is happening on a Doctor’s Day , but not for the other lapses”.
Many of my friends who are in the medical profession feel that their job is kind of risky these days, because of some of the issues over which the incidents took place were either systemic or inevitable — and not remotely the fault of the hapless doctors. Citizens should realize that doctors are not God and they cannot ensure success in their treatment each and every time. Violence against medical personnel has increased over the past three years, despite a wave of state laws passed in 2008/2009 that explicitly prohibit such attacks on doctors, nurses, paramedics and hospital property- categorizing such attacks as non-bailable offenses and mandating prison terms of one to 10 years, depending on the state.
In the meantime, the ignorance of police personnel should also be penalized. Even if they do know the law, they give importance and sympathy to the patients’ relatives, which in my opinion, should be curbed. According to one senior doctor speaking to Team Mangalorean said that one crucial task is to train doctors to communicate more effectively with patients and their family members. And that’s true. Disowning responsibility amounts to nothing short of laxity of duty. Perceiving the ever-sensitive atmosphere in any health care vicinity, the action plan to foil episodes of violence should have been conceived long ago.Yet, every new incident brings little in the form of action other than verbal condemnation, futile protests and candlelight marches. Faith in the doctor–patient relationship has taken a beating recently. Every time such horrific assaults take place, we see the political powers turn into mute spectators, waiting for flames to subside.
On a final note, I am sorry if I’ve hurt individual sentiments, I only want the issue to be resolved as soon as possible and for the likes of my doctor friends about their work that drives their passion. Long live the Doctors- the Life Saviors!
