Paradigm Shift . . . . . .
Globalization has brought the world on one platform without cry of increasing growth rate and consumerism. Palpable change in society can be felt in developing countries including India which is leading the way. The same is also been transferred to the Health related programmes mainly in corporate hospitals ignoring Government Medical College hospitals and primary health centres. Large and larger in real sense, population is still awaiting for basic medical facilities in small towns and villages. Market demand and changed attitude in our Young Doctors has opened a new era of medical care and opening of small hospitals at peripheral places away from city and towns, but still far from the reality of serving the masses.
What can be done? Whose responsibility is to provide better Health Care to its citizens? Constitutionally it is state’s responsibility, but that is what is in many fields, including Education. Scenario is fast changing in Education from primary schools to universities and technical education. Private institutions are coming up every where and changing the shape of education to our children and youth. The growth is phenomenal and needs Government’s guidelines, direction and facilities to channelise these projects to reach, the unreached places to make it a success. A better, Government – Private Cooperation with controlled, disciplined approach, to increase education awareness and learning, will augment the country for a brighter future. Education is the single mode and tool to all our prosperity in every field, may it be population control, maternal and infant mortality, child labour or women abuses.
The same holds good in Medical Education also. Government Medical Colleges used to be centre of Excellent Medical teaching and health care to its population. Now in most of the states, Government Medical Colleges and their hospitals are in a dilapidated conditions with M.C.I. spear of derecognition. One of the Chief Minister of a State shown ignorance and surprise when the state’s oldest and prestigious medical college was served the notice of derecognition. Whom to blame? Not always Government or Politicians. As an Alumni from these Medical Institutions, have we ever cared to look back positively and not lament and feel sorry for this decline? If each college’s (few are more than 100 years old and majority over 50 years) Alumni vow to participate in their college upgrading and improvement along with the Government, a brighter future of Medical Care and Medical Education can be established, breaking all imaginations and apprehension. It needs change in the political vision of the Government of admitting the simple truth of its failure to grow and to take the Alumni as Partner in the Medical Education. Our doctors all over the world belong to one of our Institution in India, are looking forward to pay back their debt ingratitude and help newer generation to get better medical education then what they got, as good as in Western Countries or Countries where they are working. Some one to come forward. Each one of us is influential, treating politicians and others with good relations with the people concerned. Wast source of experience, desire to serve and money is untapped. All the Medical Organizations including A.S.I., should come on a single platform and promote the idea of their participation not only in Medical Education but in primary health care of the states also. It may need change in the basic policy but eventually continuous positive efforts will open the eyes of every one soon. Time is running fast. Medical Education and General Health and Medical Care in the Country is to develop in cooperation with Government, Doctors including NRI and public in general. Country is to leap forward to stand along side the developed countries; can we achieve this goal without giving proper health care to our people? No growth can give us pride as to see the healthy child in smiling Mother’s Leap.
Surgeon skill is for patients, rich or poor, but needs proper place to perform. All Medical Associations including all surgical disciplines should come forward with a proposition in collaboration with financial institution to help its members in setting up hospitals at distant places, in collaboration with local people. Associations are academic bodies, but have other responsibilities to their members and also to public in general. Social and Human obligation should be one of the part of our thinking and future aim. The concept is there, needs more discussions and thinking in right direction to strengthen medical care and be a part of new, progressive India.
Medical tourism is fast coming up in India because of highly trained Doctors and world class Medical facilities, a reality never thought of a decade back. Not only Metropolitan cities but tier two and three cities showing signs of progress in all fields including Medical Care which was not visualized in the past. With emphasis on infrastructure development, the better medical care is going to reach the small towns and villages. Before it is late, let the Medical Associations, Leading Surgeons and Physician take active part in basic policy making of the Government along with the elected members and help in systematic development of hospitals and other medical facilities in the areas as required. This is no imagination but vision going to take shape and become reality.
In many countries including U.S.A. and U.K., the Medical Associations influence their National Health Policies and guide in every Medical related actions of Government including medical education, monitoring of Hospital care, foreign medical graduates, training and national health Programmes. We in our country also have a definite role to play, beside academics. Are we prepared for this? There may be conflicting views among us, considering our limited role in the past and main aims and objectives of the Associations. Do not forget, World is changing, India is changing, so also we have to change to the need of the time. Come forward to associate our selves to the need of the time and play our role positively and strengthen the total Health and Medical care of the Nation.
Medical disciple Associations like A.S.I., are Academic bodies, propagating medical education by organising conferences workshops, seminar etc. Most of the Associations do discuss the welfare of its members, participate in meeting of various committees formed by the Central and State Government on Medical Education and various health related programmes, but no positive result. Individuals are benefited but Associations leg behind. All Medical Associations including Surgical Associations like ASI, Indian Orthopedic Association, Federation of Obst and Gynaecology of India should come forward with a proposition in collaboration with state units and financial institutions to help its member in setting up Hospitals at distant places associating local people. Association should monitor such hospitals, guide them in its function and train the local Doctors as needed. Social and Human Obligation should be one of the part of our thinking and future aim. The concept is there, needs more comprehensive discussions and thinking in right direction to strengthen medical care, and be a part of new progressive India.
Let us come together to visualize the future medical care and take active part in its planning and execution with our contacts to give a brighter future to our students in particular and public in general. We have a duty to the society without any obligation and do it truthfully so that we become a part of change you wish to see in future.
