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” A Lonely Death at DMCH"

by Dr K M Maqsudur Rahman
Ido not find any words to express my anguish on reading the above titled story that has been published In the front page of the February 13 issue of The Daily Star. I thank Mr Morshed All Khan and the Star. Being a physician myself my head hangs In shame! It Is not the first time that such a heartless Incident has occurred at DMCH. Similar numerous incidents had occurred earlier not only at the DMCH but at other government hospitals too. The media had not reported all these incidents for various reasons. However, the important ones are: 1) the relatives of the victim consider It to be the fate, that Is the Will of Allah; 2) even if It is reported to the authority, no actions are taken, not even the investigations and 3). If the investigations at all are done, the twisted reports are given In a way that the culprits are shielded. However, sometimes the victims or news media re-Srt such incidents but hardly ese have had any effect on the soulless souls of the staff concerned. The question comes to the minds of many as to why these happen? Before 1 go more into this aspect, I would like to mention another very Important story of The Dally Star.
It has published under the title "Health Minister visits hospitals, expresses dissatisfaction" in the first page. The minister paid surprise visit to seven Important hospitals of the city during the Eid holidays (9-11 February). He was dissatisfied due to the very poor attendance of the doctors and supporting staff, and insufficient lighting In some of these hospitals. If this situation prevails in the important city hospitals, what about the conditions that prevail in other major hospitals; and remote clinics of the country?
Concerning the first story, it was not the absence of adequate staff (exception was the emergency ward no. 30). Yet it is the total callousness of the staff including the doctors. However, these two stories together give us the decaying aspect of the medical services. This has not developed overnight. During the Ere-Liberation era service to the umanlty were the norms of the medical profession. Doctors, nurses and other medical staff used to follow their respective ethics, and we used to notice ex-
ceptions once in a while. However. it continued even during the post-liberation era for some time, but very soon all the good virtues of the profession gradually diminished. That which devoured the great virtues was the selfishness, in other words, the greed. Of course, the great social upheavals that took place immediately during the post-liberation period have had serious effect on the whole society. The medical profession became also part and parcel to It. I came to learn this while discussing with the doctors about their unethical practices. The noblemindedness of medical profession is absent here for over two decades. When I move around with anonymity. I often hear the following from the public: "Doctors are butchers, very greedy, cheaters concern ing revisit fee, laboratories’ commission agents, deprive hospital patients' time to attend private clinics patient etc." With my own experience. I found almost hundred percent truth in most of the occasions.
With these in view, my profession does not deserve to be a noble one.
The doctors have received the highest education available in the country, and that is also with a highest subsidy from the state. Many of them have also received higher education in developed countries of the word, where medical ethics are strictly followed. Besides, many doctors and other medical staff have been serving different developing but prosperous countries with name and fame. How on earth, then, these people could engage themselves in such unscrupulous activities in our own country? It is the environment that exists in the society what my colleagues have said.
How to get out of this morass that is the most degraded social evil that prevails In the medicare services? It is such a gigantic problem that all the strata of the society have to contribute their might to fight the sickness of the profession. These are as follows:
The government should apply the disciplinary measures against the irresponsible and wilful negligence activities, whenever detected, without any fear or favour. If the authority takes strict measures, no doubt the vested Interest groups will growl, so what? A contingency plan has to be made beforehand with the voluntary workers to fill the gap if there is a strike. The support from the army may be sought as they have been giving during the natural calamity.
Human Rights Organisations. Consumers Association and similar organisations should remain highly vocal against all types of malpractice They should create public awareness about the citizens rights and privileges partlcu larly among the city dwellers. The NGOs should do the same thing but their thrust should mainly be on the villagers. Therefore, the dramatist, writers. artists and others should depict about medical profes-sion s wrongdoings every now and then
The important news media should post one medical reporter to all types of hospitals. They should not only report all types of malpractice but should also pursue the case point to its end. The reporters should also report the successful outcome of complicated cases due to the untiring efforts of the staff. If these are meticulously done, the chances of minimising the negligence will be there.
One must remember that the government has formed several medical reform commissions since the Ayub Khan era but instead of improvement it has deteriorated day by day. The other thing about Bangladesh Medical Association that will only look after their own interest only. Even If there is any genuine complaints, it will try with its all means and might to protect the concerned people. The Bangladesh medical and dental or nursing council will take action if a proven case is brought before it.
The Dally Star and Bhorer Kayo) can arrange a round table conference or seminar as to how to eradicate the maladies of medical profession. These two papers have enough cou rage to wage a war against such practices that they ought to do