Healthcare Needs Healing Too

 

Healthcare Needs Healing Too

“As violence and mistrust rise, Kashmir’s medical community must look inward and rebuild its bond with society.

Peerzada Mohsin Shafi 

In recent weeks, there has been an overwhelming buzz surrounding the medical community in Kashmir, sparked by the unfortunate incident at SMHS Hospital Srinagar and GMC Jammu where an attendant allegedly slapped and misbehaved with a doctor on duty. The impact of this event has reverberated not only in daily conversations but across social media platforms as well, with people passionately debating the actions and reactions that followed. The strike by doctors, the closure of the emergency section at the tertiary hospital and the inquiry set up by the Health Ministry to determine whether the emergency block functioned during the strike have all contributed to an ongoing public discourse. The inquiry is expected to deliver its findings in coming days, shedding light on the whole scenario and importantly whether emergency care was compromised during this period of protest. While such incidents are not new to Kashmir, they raise significant questions about the underlying reasons for such tensions in the healthcare system.

Since childhood, we are taught that humans are social beings, dependent on each other for various aspects of life. The old adage in Kashmiri “Kunn chu shuban sirf Khudaa”, meaning roughly “Only God is meant to be alone,” reflects this deeply rooted belief that no one can exist in isolation. This principle holds true in every aspect of life, from a child depending on their parents, to the elderly relying on their children and patients placing their trust in doctors. Every societal role is interdependent and interconnected, which means no profession should be undervalued or treated with less regard.

Each profession contributes significantly to the community and all members of society have responsibilities to each other. There is no hierarchy of human worth based on occupation. Every human being is susceptible to error and making mistakes is an intrinsic part of being human. Even the first prophet, Adam PBUH, made a mistake that led to his fall from paradise. Therefore, recognizing and learning from our mistakes is fundamental to growth and progress.

In everyday life, mistakes happen in many professions. Engineers sometimes make errors that lead to the collapse of bridges or buildings. Similarly, in the legal profession, errors can result in miscarriages of justice. These mistakes are met with investigations, public scrutiny and corrective measures. The medical profession should not be exempt from this same standard. However, the issue arises when certain professionals, especially doctors, begin to assume an unchallenged position of superiority. While some doctors undoubtedly work tirelessly for the benefit of their patients and communities, others fall into a mindset where they believe their qualifications or societal status exempt them from scrutiny.

This sense of superiority is not an abstract idea or hypothetical, but rather an observable reality in some segments of the medical community. It is clear that not all doctors share this attitude, but a significant number do seem to regard themselves as superior based on their education, experience and societal status. Many doctors are praised by patients for their exceptional work and dedication which is a selfless act deserving of recognition. However, while such gestures are admirable, they should not absolve doctors from their responsibility to listen to and respect patients when things go wrong. It is important to remember that patients are not irrational and their concerns deserve to be heard and addressed.

While doctors are often lauded for their contributions to society, it is equally important to recognize that they, too, can make mistakes. The issue arises when some doctors, rather than acknowledging their mistakes, act defensively and refuse to accept criticism. Following the SMHS incident, numerous articles have appeared in both local newspapers and on social media where doctors have defended their actions, portraying themselves as faultless professionals who cannot err. One particular doctor even suggested on Facebook that the public no longer needed doctors, advising them instead to follow a "good diet." Another article published in a prominent local newspaper claimed that the assault on doctors was a societal emergency, arguing that doctors, despite their efforts to heal, face hostility in return. While violence against any individual is indefensible and must be condemned, it is equally important to reflect on the broader dynamics at play.

The central question is why is it assumed that patients and their families are always in the wrong? These are certain reasons behind every action. A troubling inconsistency arises when the same doctors who exhibit rudeness and dismissiveness in government hospitals behave with courtesy and professionalism in private clinics. This stark contrast deserves introspection.

There are many instances where a patient, dissatisfied with their treatment, seeks a second opinion. In such cases, the second doctor not only dismisses the previous doctor’s prescription but often goes as far as openly criticizing the initial treatment. In some extreme situations, the second doctor may even tear up the prescription, discards and throws the medicine, especially when the patient presents it in hand, as is common in Kashmir. Imagine a poor patient who has painstakingly purchased the medicine with their hard-earned money, only to watch it being thrown away by doctor without any fault of their own. Such actions are not only unprofessional but deeply disrespectful and hurtful to the patient. What, then, do doctors expect in return gratitude or anger? This behaviour is neither ethical nor respectful and it raises serious concerns about the fundamental dignity every patient deserves. Doctors have a responsibility to maintain professionalism, not just through their medical expertise but also in their interactions with patients. Disrespect and a lack of empathy erode the trust essential to the patient-doctor relationship. Compassion and dignity should be the foundation of medical practice, irrespective of the setting or circumstances.

I have personally witnessed instances where doctors, in private practice, are courteous and attentive, yet in public settings, they display open disdain. One particular example that stands out is an orthopaedic specialist treated even elderly patients with blatant disrespect. Yet, in his private clinic, he is composed and professional. This hypocrisy is not an isolated case. In fact, some doctors in the region have been accused of referring patients from government hospitals to private nursing homes for surgeries, creating a system of inflated medical costs. Just a few days ago, the government blacklisted some doctors in the valley for engaging in such unethical practices.

I am an eyewitness to a tragic incident involving a five-year-old boy who on the pretext of hydrocele surgery underwent an incision and stitching, purely to inflate medical bills under the PMJAY scheme. This happened in the capital of J&K. When the child’s parents uncovered this deception, their shock and anger were completely justified. My question to the medical community is: what kind of response can a doctor expect from a parent who discovers that their child was subjected to such exploitation? Can anyone truly call that person a doctor who did not perform a legitimate procedure but fabricated one simply to profit from the PMJAY scheme?

However, it is important to note that not all doctors fall into this category. There are many who work with genuine care, humility, and dedication. There are many examples yet I personally know reputed gastroenterologist and paediatric surgeon of South Kashmir who instead of private sector direct patients to government hospitals for surgery and other interventions, ensuring that their patients receive care without unnecessary financial strain. These doctors embody the values of professionalism, ethics, and genuine service to the community.

The core message is unequivocal: patients are not enemies, but human beings who are entitled to respect, dignity, and proper medical care. The medical profession must acknowledge that mistakes are inevitable, but they cannot be ignored or overlooked. When a doctor makes an error, it does not place them beyond accountability. There is no room for superiority or arrogance in medicine, or in any profession, for that matter. Doctors must recognize that they are an integral part of society, not above it.

The unfortunate incident at SMHS Hospital serves as a stark reminder of this truth. As we say in Kashmiri, "Yutaam ne cxette aaseth kehn kormut, su katte aase gomut hang mang Bawre", meaning roughly "Unless something is done to provoke him, one doesn’t go mad." This sentiment holds relevance here. While the inquiry into the SMHS incident is still ongoing, deep down, everyone knows the truth.

Incidents like these underscore the pressing need for introspection and reform within the medical community. Both patients and doctors must embrace their shared responsibility to foster a healthy, respectful relationship, one that promotes mutual understanding and trust.

The world has changed. People are more informed, more vocal and more connected than ever before. The medical profession must adapt to this new reality and recognize that accountability is not an attack on their dignity but a necessary step towards improving the system for all. Only then will trust be restored, and the true purpose of medicine can be fully realized.