Ensure Safety Of Doctors

In a worrying trend, health professionals are being assaulted one after another. In a span of two weeks, they have been beaten in over half a dozen health centres. Since September 13, when two doctors were attacked at Hetauda-based Sancho Hospital, there have been assaults in Butwal, Biratnagar, Dhangadhi, and Lamjung, among other places. This is an extremely serious matter, and smacks of lawlessness. Only a few years ago, during the raging coronavirus pandemic, they were hailed as saviors. Many health care providers died from infections transmitted from their patients. Many overworked in the frontline with complete and total disregard for their families. Their devotion and dedication towards containing the pandemic and saving lives was unquestionable and deeply inspiring to say the least, despite being underpaid. Did they do all this only to be rewarded with physical assaults?  

Maintaining high professional standard and integrity of medical professional is always desirable and no caregiver in his/her sane mind would want their patients to suffer, let alone die in course of treatment. But, in spite of the best of intentions and utmost care, the worst may sometimes happen in the course of treatment. And faulting them for the tragedy and abusing them in response is the most despicable thing one can do to them in return. With every passing decade, human beings are living longer thanks to the advancement in health care and medicines. Maternal deaths have significantly declined, as have infant mortality and other preventable deaths, leading to remarkable improvement in the quality of life. Without those in the profession, of course, this wouldn’t have been possible. 

This is not to say that doctors and other health professionals don’t make mistake ever. There should be clear professional procedures to deal with such shortcomings. But nobody has the right to take matter into their hands and mete out the punishment as they wish. Seeking judicial remedy is the only way forward. And, we have time-honoured laws in place to deal with such issues. Resorting to violence, vandalizing the hospitals, harassing and bullying those involved in the treatment are not what a law-abiding citizen ever thinks of doing in reaction. Medical professionals deserve due respect from all, including the police administration, general public and the government. 

Our health care providers and associated institutions are in need of fearless environment to work in. They are worthy of our recognition of their noble work, of their untold sacrifices. To be sure, one or two mistakes in the vast pool of life saving works will never tarnish their reputation. And this philosophy should be the guiding force of their life. They have their own professional associations like medical council to check unprofessional tendencies and everything should move as per the law of the land. If doctors are in agitation against the abuse hurled at them, their voice need to be heard and addressed. The government must lead the effort to ensure fearless working environment for the doctors and other health workers.  They must feel assured that any injustice meted out to them will have prompt legal consequences. And, above all, they deserve to be safe and secured from violence or anything that impedes their spirit of service delivery.