Editor,
The gentle words of a doctor can save the life of a patient. If the words are accompanies with a “soft smile” than the doctor could be a messiah. The shortcomings of NEIGRIHMS apart, I have personally observed a few doctors in this medical institute who are genuinely sympathetic and concerned. They usually spread the healing vibes. Dr. Manish Kapoor, cardiologist and Dr. Bhaskar Borgohain, Head of the department of Orthopaedics, Dr. Abhijeet Bhatia of ENT, are some doctors who have earned the loving admiration of a great many patients and their relatives. Needless to say, the kind-hearted doctors are a boon to any medical institution.
However, there are many instances where the doctors’ “attitude” towards the patient becomes a cause of worry. It is often the case that the persons who attend to a patient cannot even approach the doctors in the hospital. They are uncommunicative with puffed-up ego. If the attendants of the patient are illiterate then the situation could be worse still. Doesn’t this make the patient lose all hope? Here laments a depressed wife, a vegetable vendor from Ri Bhoi — “My husband would not have died if the doctors who were treating him were communicative and caring. The doctors never cared to share the reports with us, or else we could have taken him to better hospitals. For the doctor’s sheer negligence my husband’s condition had deteriorated and he could not survive”. Such cases are very common in government hospitals. One feels, if a doctor cannot exude a sense of positivity and hope with a smile of “compassion” then he could only be a liability. The medical qualification will not always be helpful in curing the emotional wounds of sick persons.
In contrast, Mr Vikram a cardiology patient heaped praises upon NEIGRIHMS — “I survived due to a team of good doctors of the hospital who all were very caring and kind. I am certain that my heart responded very well to the healing kindness of those doctors than the prescribed capsules and injections. I am a healthy man now with happy family! Thank you my loving doctors!” Let’s assume that this man had the sad luck of meeting with uncaring doctors! Then, his chances of living would be greatly reduced. Just imagine what would happen to a family whose main earning member has died in the hospital due to inadequate treatment? Would not that family go to pieces? Let’s evaluate objectively how important the role of a doctor, also the hospital is in the society.
Given the increasing number of doctors who are cold and unfriendly, one wishes there was a “compulsory” subject called “Life’s values” in the studies of medical science. The teachings of “values of a human life” and accountability towards the sick are more important to the doctor than to any others. Because, unlike the experts in other area of studies, a doctor is meant to treat a “human being” who instantly responds to the language of “humanity” apart from the chemical tablets.
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali,
Shillong-2
Meghalaya misses UPSC bus
Editor,
The final results of the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2017 was declared few days back and it is dismal to know that this year too , no aspirant from Meghalaya could clear this prestigious examination which is the gateway to the most reputable service of the nation ie IAS, IFS, IPS and few other civil services in group A and B. The civil services system is the backbone of the administrative machinery of the country. The aspirants from Meghalaya could not clear this examination on a regular basis every year unlike other states. The competition level these days is very high and the students from our state must realise that. After 46 years of statehood why can the state of Meghalaya not provide proper guidance for the Civil Services aspirants of the state? The concerned authority must think over this matter. One of the reasons why the aspirants from Meghalaya could not clear this prestigious examination of the country is because they are not aware of this examination. Many of them in fact don’t know that clearing this exam will open the doors for them to serve the nation in a better way. What does an aspirant need to know about the civil services exam and the UPSC? They know that the civil services exams are tough and difficult to clear and because of this mindset many hesitate to even attempt. So it is of utmost importance to counsel students on the civil services exams; the benefits from it and what are the different career options that will open up through this examination once they get through it. Lack of proper coaching centres in Meghalaya adds fuel to the ignorance about such a prestigious examination. It is high time for the concerned authorities to act in time and provide proper platform and counselling centres for the youth of our state for such prestigious examinations.
Yours etc.,
Anil Singh Roka
Shillong-2
Moral policing
Editor,
This refers to your editorial, “Rise in moral policing” (ST, May 3, 2018). According to statistics from the United Nations, one in five cases of honour killings internationally every year comes from India. We live in such a society of hatred where even parents can go to the extreme of (honour!) killings their daughters/ sons/ daughters-in-law/ sons-in-law in the name of caste, class or religion to replace love by hate. We feel more comfortable with hate than love. It has now become a new normal that anti – Romeo squads can work overtime to nip love in the bud and some people can even go out with national flags in their hands in support of the child – killer – rapists!
However, it is true that we need four walls to hide ourselves from the public glare to respond to any call be it of nature’s or that of biological or romantic one. Having said that, I must add that being a regular commuter of Kolkata Metro since its inception, I have not seen a single incident that can be labelled as vulgar. Indeed, it is more vulgar to intrude into another’s space.
Yours etc.,
Sujit De,
Kolkata