Medicines Demise & The Rise of Convid
How can a deadly product be given
recklessly despite knowing that all the claims are false? How can all our
medical institutions be compromised? How can the vast majority of doctors
remain silent and even participate in marketing the product?
Medicine used to be a noble
profession. The practitioners used to genuinely care for their patients.
Medications were often a last resort and only one or two generic medicines were
prescribed if required. Doctors used to devote time and listen to the
narratives of patients to determine what really was the cause of illness.
This was mostly possible as medical
education was provided in Government medical colleges and it was heavily
subsidized. In case of meritorious students the fees were waived and they
received stipends in addition. The teachers were conscious of the pros and cons
of medicine and advised students on how to distinguish between commerce and
science.
Dr William Osler, the father of modern medicine, advised doctors to disregard the education they received in medical schools and depend on their own observation and experience.
Students studied medicine to be well versed on matters of health and address the needs of the people.
The problems began with the corporate takeover of medicine and the proliferation of private medical colleges. These colleges have deep ties with the industry and the entire medical education system has been deeply corrupted.
Medicine became a lucrative career
with its opportunity to earn. The welfare of patients was forgotten. The
students became interested in passing out rather that be educated on the finer
aspects of medicine.
Then came the medical representatives. They became the direct contact between the doctors and the industry bypassing all norms. The medical representatives were opposed by the ethical doctors of the day. They predicted that the day would come when there would be no difference between medical representatives and doctors. Both would be engaged in the business of selling medicines. What was predicted has indeed happened.
The industry also conducts classes for the
doctors where they are advised to prescribe products. Many doctors are
therefore educated by this section disregarding the fact that they are
interested only in marketing and business. The general system is they are given
targets and the commission is paid in advance. The doctor thus has no way out
but to comply.
Today in India you need a minimum of
Rs 1 crore to get an MD degree in any medical college of repute. The students
take loans that they start repaying once they complete their education and are
into practice.
You cannot expect them to work
towards the welfare of their patients. They have loans to repay. They also buy
houses, vehicles, and assets on loan and have EMIs to pay. Thus the focus
remains extensively on income.
This section is easy prey for the
industry and also for corporate hospitals. They are exploited to the hilt. They
are under pressure to achieve targets. In corporate hospitals MBA graduates
rule over the doctors and decide their targets. Every month they have to
prescribe certain quantities of medicines, recommend tests, and ensure
hospitalization of patients that visit. In case you visit corporate hospitals
know that not your disease but your bank balance is being treated.
Consequently doctors have lost all
power over what kind of treatment they prescribe. Even if they want they are
unable to help their patients. Some try to stay honest but peer pressure and
also strictures from medical associations force them to fall in line.
Some senior doctors are constantly
engaged in ensuring that the profession stays on the wrong path and the
industry profits to its heart's content. They nip in the bud all efforts at
reform. The medical associations act on behalf of the industry.
With the advent of liberalization the
international goons have direct control over the entire medical system in
India. The PHFI was set up to ensure this. Currently a corporate philanthropist
is the de facto Health Minister of India. Everyday he holds direct video
conferences with key ministers and ensures that his wish is law.
The draconian rules are enforced as
conditions to the huge loans being given to the country by the likes of the
World Bank, IMF, WHO, and the UN. The country is brought to its knees and
forced to comply.
It is under these circumstances that the
current tragedy unfolds. The people are being subjected to a murderous
experiment which has very serious long term consequences.
This reminds me of the Mahabharata
episode where Draupadi was subject to various atrocities in the Court of
Dhritarashtra and the powerful warriors and personalities present did nothing
to prevent it.
There is no one to protect the people
but themselves.
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