Dr Shekhar Biswas
Doctors, who are always boasted as demo-gods in case of any crisis situation, have always been at the forefront of peace and war. Currently these mortals are the frontline army battling against the unseen enemy – novel Corona Virus in order to protect the Nation. While it is commendable to receive cheers and encouragement from the PM and citizens, yet there is a need to review the current roles of various medical practitioners.
Reviewing the current situation, majority of the doctors are under-utilized, and due to the restrictions and panic created in the society, has resulted in most doctors to be stuck up at home. While small hospitals, Nursing Homes and Clinics have been shut down, refusal to treat non-COVID patients is alarming a public scare due to inadequate access to primary care.
Citing to the non-availability of PPE, doctors have been refrained from conducting OPD's which indeed is not the solution. Since the outbreak of COVID 19 various reasons have been attributed to the under utilization of the medical fraternity, and the extended timeline of lockdown has added to it. While the society sees these heroes with a judgmental perspective, only compassion towards them is needed for them to keep profession ahead of their families.
Problems faced by the medical fraternity
While the whole world is fighting against the deadly COVID-19, leading the war, the entire medical Fraternity is the worst affected.
- 60+ Doctors –As any other citizen falling in the geriatric population (above 60 years), even doctors in this category, who are very actively providing theirservices have been ordered to quarantine themselves due to the risk of catching infection.
- Non-availability of PPE for COVID doctors –Putting their lives at stake, various doctors have been posted to take care of the COVID patients. And with the non-availability of proper safety kits (PPE) they fear of their lives and are even not able to meet their family members. Adding to their woes, some of those who are kept under quarantine, incidents of public thrashing the healthcare workers and misbehavior and ill treatment are also adding to the mental trauma.
- Voluntary leaves for doctors in private Hospitals –Doctors working in the private tertiary care hospital, who always had the proud feeling of serving the patients and happy about his job profile, are now being asked by the management to take voluntary leaves or come on rotation shifts due to closure of OPD's and low volume of patients. Ultimately, without any written notice, many hospitals are cutting down on the salary of doctors.
- Fear of misdiagnosis among pediatricians – Kids under the age of 5 years are highly susceptible to any type of infection, and during this pandemic situation, children can be asymptomatic carrier of COVID. It is very difficult to diagnose or treat without examining physically, using telemedicine. There are chances of errors, as the kids cannot complaint exactly and the whole diagnosis is solely dependent on the instincts and observations of the parents. So pediatricians are puzzled due to falling revenues and fear to adopt telemedicine with full medico legal responsibility.
- Fear among parents of Resident doctors –While the resident doctors who have come to learn the art of medicine and get experienced in unbiased serving of the community, put in their soul into their practice. But there is a family behind them which is always put at stake or given secondary priority, making them think whether the degree is important at the expense of their child's health (if he catches COVID infection).
The list continues, without an end and all the doctors know that they are into a noble profession and understand their responsibilities for the society. On behalf of the medical fraternity, it is a humble request from the society and the Government authorities to look into the plights of doctors and help the medical fraternity without prejudice.
The author is a Paediatrician & Director, Kindergarten Clinic, New Delhi
