Patients’ attendants misbehaving with healthcare professionals condemnable: PrezMurmu
New Delhi: President DroupadiMurmu on Monday said attendants of patients misbehaving with heathcare professionals is “condemnable”.
Addressing the 10th Convocation of the AtalBihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences, RML Hospital, Murmu said doctors make every possible effort to save the life of patients and this was shown during the Covid times.
“Many a time, when something untoward happens, in a fit of rage the attendants of patients misbehave with the healthcare professionals. This is wrong and condemnable,” she said.
Despite all efforts if any unfortunate incident happens, then the doctors or the hospital staff should not be misbehaved with.
“No doctor wants harm to a patient but many a time all solutions are not available in science,” she said.
Referring to the non-fiction autobiographical book ‘When Breath Becomes Air’ written by American neurosurgeon Paul Kalanithi, the president said there are so many anecdotes in the book which exhibit the limitations of medical science.
Doctors who see life and death from close quarters understand such limitations and on several occasions they have to take decisions which are tough.
“Doctors work in an environment of pressure and stress, and sometimes they may seem restless but that does not mean they are not serious about their patient,” Murmu stated.
President Murmu stressed on the need of patients and patient care-givers to remain calm during difficult times, stating that no doctor wants their patients to suffer.
“During the COVID pandemic, doctors and nurses performed their duties with dedication to save lives. And as a country, we will always be grateful to them,” she said.
The president urged the medical fraternity and related institutions to prioritise women’s health.
She highlighted that the PradhanMantri Jan ArogyaYojana has assisted women in accessing healthcare services.
Murmu also noted the achievements in the healthcare sector during the last 10 years.
“The number of medical institutions has increased and the number of PG seats has doubled. New AIIMS have been established and undergraduate courses have been introduced in these institutions,” she said.
Two honourable have been associated with this hospital and institution — Dr Ram ManoharLohia and AtalBihari Vajpayee.
“For both of them, the nation came first. They gave new dimensions to our society and country. I believe and hope that the people associated with this institution and hospital will follow the same direction and their footprints,” she said.
Murmu said doctors provide the healing touch to ailing humanity and only they can make a difference between life and death.
“You have taken on a big responsibility. In our country, doctors are treated as Gods because they take care of people’s health. Please remember there should be a healing touch with the medicines you prescribe,” she stated.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Health Minister J P Nadda congratulated all the students and emphasised that ensuring the highest standards of medical education is a top priority for the government.
“The students and scholars present here are our human resource capital for building a better future,” he stated.
Nadda highlighted that professional education is a privilege that only a few are fortunate to receive, noting that the government spends about Rs 30-35 lakh per medical student per year for providing such professional education.
He encouraged the students to efficiently apply their talent, skills and knowledge towards improving the healthcare system in the country.
“The situation of doctors in India is entirely different from those of the western countries. The huge footfall at hospitals in India is not comparable with most of the countries across the globe.
“Not many can understand and comprehend the kind of patient care, research and innovations our doctors are involved in,” Nadda added.
