Doctors’ Protest-A Major Challenge

Fatal attacks on doctors are not the only root cause of the medicos’ stir. Sparked in West Bengal, spread across the country in a fraction of time, the stir reminds about the lack in health care system. Besides, even the private doctors have joined the protest. The spread of stir nationally can’t be taken casually. Though, there are few photos circulated in social media showing doctors are checking the patients despite resignations. How shouldn’t it be applauded? As far as medical care is concerned, the doctors are the target within reach. So, they have to bear the brunt of any people connected with the patients/victims. But the question is: Are they sole responsible?

Doctors from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and Safdurjung Hospital, the prominent hospitals in Delhi, joining the protest indeed reflects its gravity. Besides, doctors from Mumbai, Chandigarh, Jammu & Kashmir hospitals have expressed their solidarity. The attitude of CM Mamata Banerjee is criticized by prominent personalities. Mamata’s audacious attitude has irked most of the doctors fraternity. While Ms Banerjee says that is a conspiracy of Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) and a plot of “outsider” as well. When Calcutta High Court refused to intervene, then CM began making calls for negotiations.   

However, the news concerning clash between doctors and people mostly have places in the media. It is quite natural that whose patient suffers or dies will be agitated. On the other hand, the medicos do try to save the ailing patients, but what would they do if there is lack of resources.

In the meantime, AIIMS has delivered a statement to meet the demands within 48 hours, otherwise the stir would intensify. Issuing this warning, doctors are expressing their determination for their protest. Medical system would definitely collapsed if it is not looked in within time-frame. They even warned of withdrawal of whole non-essential health services from 17 June.

It is learnt that 73% of the total population of India live in the rural areas, while 26.1 % of them are below poverty line. There is huge lack of healthcare infrastructure in the prevailing system. Several major weaknesses appear as deterrant. However, funding allocated on national level which is 4.1 % of GDP,which is comparatively high. On the other hand, government funding is   low to 1% in comparison to other emerging nations. Hence, the present plight makes the situation grim and the mass pass away without medical care.

In this context, the private health sectors are thriving day-by-day. The maximum part of health care system in our country is dominated by private sectors. Significantly, 70% of the total delivery market delivered in India by private sectors. It evidently shows that the healthcare has gone far from the commoners. Like this, they can avail the medical facilities who have opulent wealth. Though, a super speciality hospital Gujarat Adani Institute of Medical Sciences has been established. However, it claims to provide medical facilities even to the common people. If it is, then there must be at least 50 more such hospitals in a vast nation like India.

In addition,there are several other reasons for unrest. One of the significant reasons is the centre-state relation-stern or cordial. However, if the governments in the centre and the state are of same fold, then there is doubt of status quo. If the governments of different folds are in centre and state then there is a fair chance of tussle. Ultimately, people are the sufferers.