The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Letters to the Editor

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Medical malpractices are rampant

I have been following the series “Patients or victims?” on corporate hospitals by Chitleen K Sethi with mixed feelings of appreciation, amusement and resentment. She has done a wonderful job in exposing the dark underbelly of the private health sector.

There is no denying the fact that these hospitals are primarily business houses. Like any other system, health sector too has its black sheep. However, to generalise things is taking them a bit too far.

Indeed, one has to be vigilant and aware of one’s rights. What has been described in the reports sounds more like anonymous complaints. Specific complaint can be taken to its logical conclusion through proper channels that are available to the aggrieved. It must be realised that no single department is free from corruption and the private healthcare is no exception.

Dr G S BATTU, Patiala

The rather sensational albeit exaggerated disclosure of medical malpractices has opened a Pandora’s box. It is most unfortunate that a noble profession has not stood up against dishonesty, corruption and avarice. The lure and lucre of profits has made it just another industry.

The corporate world stepped into the health sector because the public health system was not able to provide adequate healthcare. The current series of reports are no doubt bold. However, some issues are contentious and debatable.

The need of the hour is to revive and nurture this noble profession. The government has to come forward with a broad-based policy and monitor the health sector with honesty and transparency.

Dr SUDHIR VARMA, New Delhi

III

The reports were an eye-opener. However, it is a matter of surprise that The Tribune has not considered it advisable to name the healthcare institutions in question. The public has the right to know.

MANOJIT BISWAS, via e-mail

The Tribune deserves appreciation for highlighting the money minting practices of the corporate hospitals in the region. All of us have been victims of their unscrupulous ways at one point or the other. The government must find a way to end their malpractices.

RAM NATH SHARMA, Chintpurni

Doctors, who were once highly revered by society, have by and large forsaken their responsibility towards the betterment of humanity. As doctors are treating patients as consumers, they too can avail the benefits of relevant consumer laws. However, the root cause of all societal problems in India is the corrupt education system.

So there is a need to ensure fairness in entrance tests as well as to put an end to commercialisation of education.

REETI GUPTA, Rohtak

Unwanted burden
The editorial “Why this extra burden? : Need to scrap parliamentary secretaries” (Oct 31) has rightly stated that the parliamentary secretaries virtually have no work and are getting all the facilities.
As the chief ministers are unable to accommodate more members in their ministries because of the limit, they appoint parliamentary secretaries with pay, perks and privileges of ministers to keep the MLAs happy.
The Punjab government seems to have no development agenda on the cards. The money saved on these posts could be used for the development of the state. The parliamentary secretaries should think of the betterment of the state and quit their posts.
SAHIL GARG, Chandigarh