MEDICAL
MALPRACTICE IN INDIA
Fake doctors are a
phenomenon that plagues most of South East Asia particularly India, Pakistan
and even Bangladesh. The most important underlying reason for such fake doctors
is due to the low literacy levels in the country especially in the rural areas.
But let us clarify one thing first; medical malpractice does not mean that we
are only talking about fake doctors or health practitioners, it also includes
those who are ‘genuine’ doctors but do not practice according to the medical
norms and conduct fit for a doctor.
So what we have in my
beautiful country India is both; on one hand we have an abundance and
continuous supply of fake doctors, dispensers practicing as professional
doctors in rural areas of the country where the writ of the law is weaker and access
of media is rare. But this is not the only scenario; we also have doctors who
solemnly took the Hippocratic oath, studied medicine for 5 years and even
completed their house jobs but then gladly took the new ‘hypocrite pledge’ so
that they could mint money from their patients and endanger their health with
their gross negligence.
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| MEDICAL MALPRACTICE IN INDIA |
There are several
‘glorious’ examples of how dispensers disguise themselves as fully fledged
doctors in far flung areas of the country. The majority of people living in
rural India are not neither educated nor aware and these fake doctors put their
lives at risk by poor diagnosis and due to their ignorance. Dispensers are
generally familiar with the names of the medicines and they use this
familiarity to make a fool out of the people. This is sheer mockery of the
entire health care system of India.
Ok just for a moment
forget about these fake doctors or health practitioners and let us talk about
the actual ‘ones’ who are more prone to making even more deadlier and worse
messes than the former. Medical malpractice in purely technical context is
defined as negligence by a medical professional that can cause injury or death
to an individual. These ‘mistakes’ can neither be forgiven nor forgotten; for
they result in the deaths of innocent people. Some people call them ‘errors’
but a trained and educated medical professional does not have the liberty to
make such errors. I can vividly recall a case in Bangladesh where a surgeon
forgot a knife in the stomach of the patient. Luckily nothing adverse happened
but it could have and in India there are numerous examples present.
Let me remind of you
the case when a surgeon in 2009 was fined for Rs 1 Crore when himself while
attempting to remove a tumor from the chest of 39 years old Patient damaged his
spinal cord; the result was that the patient was paralyzed from the waist below
for the rest of his life. Do you really believe that such ‘errors’ can be
allowed? If your child is 1 year old and breaks a glass you forgive him for he
is too young to understand but if the child is 19 years old and smashes your
neighbor’s car in a fit of rage can or should he be forgiven? Even 3 months ago
in Bangalore a 7 year old boy Alex Raj died because the doctors administered
the wrong medicines; though the case has been registered but the hospital
administration has refused to accept the blame. For how long are we supposed to let such medical malpractices ruin
our society and what measures we must take to put an end to this ‘plague’?
I think where ever there are Doctors, there is going to be medical malpractice. I had a friend who had surgery of the intestinal area. The Doctor finished his surgery, sewed her up and sent her to heal. Week later, she was in more pain than before... come to find out, they left a small pair of scissors in her and a sponge. She lived, but could very well have died. They did nothing for her in the way of compensation.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Terry. There are always going to be doctors who make mistakes. If they make intentional mistakes (can I even call them mistakes if they're intentional) they should not be allowed to get away with it. Doctors are humans and humans do make mistakes. Now having fake doctors like you state your country has would make me very afraid to go to the doctor. Terry I think that your friend needs to see a very good lawyer.
ReplyDeletei never trust my doctor especially when its come to my kids had a fair few times we have been its nothing only to rush them to hospital when it worsesns n they say should of been advised to bring in!! i have nothing against doctors just not great experiance with them :(
ReplyDeleteOMG that sounds horrible. Generally there is not much in the way of compensation when these things happen..
ReplyDeletei think it varies. i'm an american living in india with my husband and two kids. i fear the day i have to bring my kids to see a doctor because of the overuse of antibiotics (especially for viruses!) but also because of some of the things you mentioned. yes accidents happen but there are times when mis-judgement or lack of care comes into play. Then, of course, there are quacks.
ReplyDeleteMalpractice does happen even with highly trained physician in the United States but in most cases, I don't believe it is malicious.
ReplyDeletePeople pretending to be physicians should be arrested and spend time in jail. No doubt in my mind.
This is truly shocking. Unfortunately, I think many people trust doctors without asking enough questions. It's important to be one's own healthcare advocate and to be proactive in making sure that these doctors have the credentials that they are supposed to.
ReplyDeleteThis is truly shocking. Unfortunately, I think many people trust doctors without asking enough questions. It's important to be one's own healthcare advocate and to be proactive in making sure that these doctors have the credentials that they are supposed to.
ReplyDeleteEek, I'm very thankful for the UK's NHS (it does have it's flaws though)
ReplyDeleteThank you for spreading awareness
It's scary that these things happen - even in countries where hospitals, doctors and nurses are meant to all be well trained awful things can happen. A local hospital is being investigated as many people died who shouldn't have due to them just not receiving the right treatment or being completely ignored.
ReplyDeleteI know it's a big trouble but the big reason is blind believe of rural area's people on "Daaactors" . You can say it anyways .
ReplyDeleteI heard about lots of case that are like patient had a trouble in right hand and got operated for left hand , similar enough?
Noor @ Noor's Place
I agree with Terry- happens everywhere. I have heard horror stories about medical mistakes, but on the flip side... people will think they have the right to sue over the tiniest little things. Ridiculous, really.
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who had some complications with pregnancy so had a c-section. They left a sponge inside her and caused all sorts of problems. I am very picky about the doctors we use. We have had the same General practitioner for the past 18 years.
ReplyDeleteIt is so much trust and faith we have to put in our medical professionals and it is a terrible tragedy when something goes wrong. Of course we can't expect a person to be perfect every single day and moment of his/her life, but it's a tough one when a person holds a life in their hands.
ReplyDeleteMalpractice is terrible and I know of people who have gotten sick and they found sponges or scalpels left inside. I don't think there is any excuse for it.
ReplyDeleteI am shocked that you have "fake" doctors. What a shame.
Dr and hospitals should pay for their mistakes.
Great point! Here in Pakistan, we saw many cases of fake doctors which is a shame. Low literacy and fake degrees are ruining the image of doctors and hospitals and everybody who can afford a foreign doctor is not relying upon local medication!
ReplyDeleteJust like Terry, I think there's always going to be medical mapractice. It's really sad that it's this way, but I really don't know how we could prevent it.
ReplyDeleteIt's always sad to hear medical malpractice experiences. I hope those patients finds justice before it's too late.
ReplyDeleteThat's why, it is very important to check on Doctor's background. That will really help to avoid getting a doctor with lack of knowledge.
ReplyDeleteThis makes me so sad to read about the problems with fake doctors in India. I don't know what the solution would be unless the country itself really buckled down on the problem. I understand it being a bigger problem with those who are illiterate and they themselves obviously can't rectify the situation.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you continuously educate and advocate for social change in India. I learn so much about your society and am inspired to be more active rather than just passively agreeing with a viewpoint.
ReplyDeleteI've heard about fake doctors before and the damage they case is irrepairable. Why anyone would want to hurt others I have no idea, something really needs to be done about this because those how can't afford healthcare will attempt to seek out doctor's who charge very little and what result can be deadly.
ReplyDeleteWow this is crazy I am glad that you are letting people know that this is an issue. Malpractice is so scary and the fact that there are fake doctors around is alarming
ReplyDelete