THE SOCIAL prestige comes naturally with the profession, it’s deemed as one of the noblest professions not only in India but across geographies, and probably it’s the only profession in the world wherein service providers, though paid are highly thanked by the service receiver. Most of you guessed it right; I am conversing about medical profession, Doctors. The profession has been one of the most sought after in India and magnetizes many a talented individuals.

Ironically even this noble profession has not remained untouched by the demon of corruption and plummeting ethical values. The latest instance of medial domain touching low is an eleven-day- strike of government doctors in Rajasthan (the strike began on December 21, 2011). The strike crippled medical services across government hospitals.

The callousness of the professionals, who are many a times referred to as gods for saving lives, claimed about 80 innocent lives. Request to call off the strike by government officials and chief Minister fell on deaf ears. The medical fraternity was hell bent on their demands, come what may. They took government to ransom to press for their demands and absolutely hijacked the medical services of the state; the chaos post strike was unwarranted and embarrassing as it shamed the profession. Who cares? Changing social dynamics are casting shadow on medical profession also.

TV footages on the episode were heartbreaking, fathers crying for their children, mothers weeping incessantly. For a substantial period of eleven days medical services were paralyzed, patients were seen dying, their attendants running from pillar to post for medical treatment. The ‘hypocrite’ oath taken by physicians to discharge their services ethically is gradually losing its sheen and significance.  

I had a word with one of my friends, Dr. Ankush. “Salary disparity is there between government hospitals and corporate hospitals. This issue should be addressed honestly. Reality is they are paid peanuts compared to other doctors in corporate hospitals. There is a long struggle to become a doctor,” he said.      

When I shared the plight and sufferings caused to patients because of the strike, he said, “They (Doctors) need to protest in some innovative way.”

Both the government and doctors have to be blamed for the chaos in medical services and loss of life. Stringent measures should have been taken right at the onset of the strike. There are medical practitioners galore in India who are ready to don the role of government doctors. Do away with the doctors who are a shame for the noble profession. I want to ask these doctors, if you want higher and hefty pay packages, plunge into corporate hospitals but don’t let people from economically weaker sections of the society pay the price with their lives.