Hi.. I'm a young doctor working at GH and am an avid listener of your show, which coincides with the time I'm driving to work, every morning.
This discussion about the state of our Government Hospitals is a very valid & interesting one. While on one hand I agree with the things that have been said especially with respect to cleanliness and the ward boys' asking for money, I would like to point out a few lacunae, which may be the reasons for the woes of GH.
1. The moment our bigwigs begin to come to GH, the things are bound to change. A few decades ago, when the top politicos fell ill, they were brought to GH and consequently the facilities improved and new equipments and a clean premises was maintained. My suggestion is that if our ministers/CM get admitted in GH (where, believe me, the quality of doctors and nurses are on par with outside) the whole place will automatically get a facelift in terms of cleanliness and equipment. Like how our PM goes to AIIMS, similarly our CM and others should admit themselves in GH. I am asking them to trust in the same system that caters to majority of their people.
2.The ward boys are employed through a contract basis. They have awful working hours of 12 hours a day and have to do work such as transport patients up the buildings when lifts aren't working, clean up the wards and toilets (which the patients & their relatives dirty indiscriminately) and sundry other things. Most of them are married and have families to look after. And for all this they are paid Rs.1500-2000 per month. The point I am making is that these people deserve a bit more for their hard work. I am sure that they would not ask for money from patients if they are better paid. Some black sheeps exist though and inspite of repeated warnings from doctors they continue harassing patients and have been thrown out on our insistence.
3. Our patients themselves are a difficult lot to deal with. Just come to the new tower blocks and observe the way they look after the public property. As usual, they spit everywhere, urinate in public (even when there are clean toilets maintained by the Corporation, within the compound), eat inside the wards and dirty everything around them. The latrine is a dustbin for them and very often in our daily rounds,we docs inspect the toilets and admonish patients who dirty them beyond scope of any clean-up. And it is left to the ward boys to clean up after the patients have dirtied the place. These people smoke in the ward and occasionally a few of them have misbehaved with the nursing staff too. Any number of requests/scoldings/threats don't seem to work for these rowdy elements amongst the patients (though most patients are very simple, trustworthy & lovable people).
4.There are few more ails affecting out system of healthcare. Though it must be said that TN healthcare is amongst the best managed in India. Obviously, there is scope for improvement, as we can see.. I hope you will take note and highlight issues from the other side of the fence as well.
5. I guess, we need accountability in our society. In every aspect. Surety of punishment and not its magnitude is the only deterrent to indiscipline.
22 comments:
Good to read the other side of the story as well. Good that you are not taking sides but being a mediator.
Like we have seen comments from your previous post....Change should come from within and individuals
Excellent yar...within 3days we could see a great improvement....yes i mean the power of possitive spirit amongst people to speak it out....and this sign of improvement is possible only with your early postings....
Jaiho Young Medicos...!!! many more gud-hopes to come along ur ways....
Each one of us here know the state of the hospital,But we hardly do anything to change it.As the doc had suggested, if only the political bigwigs(CM,State Minister,PM) come regularly to these places, even if they are not well :) we can see some improvement.I am lil curious to know how many time has the union health minister visited his home town GH.But cant help it, they dont trust the system they run it, What say?
Hai akka,
The giving or accepting bribe cannot be stopped until all humans are white souled. Improving the facilities of hospitals or treating the needy's with humanity is a far cry.The only solution to wipe the problem is in the hands of micro organisms to make a parade towards some VIP's anatomical barrier.
If humanity pricks the concerned individual(bribe askers) we will able to make the output in our favour.As far as my concern, a single thorn is not enough to see a pinch of blood from the skin of
a hippo.. (can we people able to change the existing state..If so let the good hearters come forward)
-Jishu.
A well written comment.I read the previous comment too. A coin always has two sides. If we as public say we don't get for what we pay, on the other hand we should also be as responsible to be that little change which may not cause a huge difference. But a small difference by one when multiplied by N such one's will for sure give a beautiful environment for us. I hope WE will make that difference.
100 % Agree with this post. All politician go to private hospital only when it is come to them. Expect only one (thamil Aruvi Maniyan).Corrupition can't be stoped by force like an indian thaatha. It should be other way around.when people paid as they deserve..things will get changed.
The last line speaks volumes, i shud say.
Surety of punishment.
Bigwigs coming to the hospital is fine, but imagine the number of doctors nurses other staff who will be assigned to that person
Imagine the security there
Imagine who is going to suffer - The other patients
It is sad. I used to complain as well. I have come to a conclusion. You know what, the whole system is wrong. And there is little you can do about it. This world has seen Buddhas and Gandhis but still we are left with what we have now.
Follow zen. Live in the 'here and now'. You'll start laughing at things instead of getting agitated by them.
By the way, you have a good blog.
Politicians who are employed by the tax payers...have an obligation to go to the Government hospitals. It's a shame to see them go to Private hospitals...And who pays the fees? Its all the tax payers..isn't it !!
I think - if the one who wrote dares to Whistle blow all these things in the media? If he does, we all can join him...
Well..It is easy to find a reason to panic and people to blame..
I dont think this young doctor has any compentency to make Govt Hospital to work at first place.He still doesnt know what to expect from Chennai People...How they could be inspired to do things...
Here is Start ...
--Make Coorporate Goverance madatory.
--Mandatory Basic orientation for Staff ...What to expect in Govt Hospital especially abt the patients ??? (Once a Month)
--Voluntary Orientation for Patients for Health Basics -Once a month
Inspire Intiate Transform !!!
"I guess, we need accountability in our society. In every aspect. Surety of punishment and not its magnitude is the only deterrent to indiscipline."
ABSOLUTELY! I can see a change starting with more people respecting their voting rights and the educated ones contesting against our old and chalu politicians. Even if it is small, it is starting. We are creating a new world. I hope these will eventually change.
How about starting a movement? Let's take up GH alone for the while and bring all of what we've been hearing and seeing to critical attention.
Is it priority? Is it lack of feedback? Is it lack of vision? Is it lack of public interest that is stopping the powered - responsible people from doing their best ?
Repeated ping must draw it I'm sure. And, it is very important that there is some action taken on this account. The sooner, the better.
How do we do it? I'm ready to do my part.
Arun: I am filing a PIL. There are about 34 people who are backing me up on this.. more the merrier. can you back the PIL? I am getting one of the best lawyers to work on this.. if not anything else, it will make the authorities st up and take notice
Yes. I'm with you on this operation. Where would you discuss any related happenings?
Chinmayi, I am with you on this. Let me know what we can do.
I live in Bangalore at the moment. So, anything that can be done from remote locations like docs, or anything that can be done on weekends should be funtastic.
All ears.
Chinmayi - PIL ? Thats a great start - Count me in. Whatever i can do !
hmmm....Great read madam! And nice sentiments echoed.... albeit, I am a bit late.... I am a surgeon too at GGH...and agree with most people here...including to what patients have had to say..... Yes, staffs are complacent most of the times and ward boys fleece patients - that's sad... but at times (or should I say most of the times) we ourselves ask patients to buy items from outside GH (medicines or some basic instruments)Now.... we use it for the patient only - trust me on this -.... but I believe I am opening a Pandora's box by stating the reason - because what is supplied to the Govt hospital is either of poor quality(imagine trying to shave with a blunt blade -that's the sort of skin graft blade we are given - imagine using materials for dressings that do not absorb even water let alone the secretions!) or a waste in simple terms and at other times its not provided at all..... very basic things - dressing materials, gloves, basic antibiotics.. etc etc... The drug Adrenalin that is provided ( its an emergency drugs used in other situations) - just refuses to act!!! The list goes on.....AND ALL THIS IN THE STATE'S PREMIER 'INSTITUTE' - No wonder no political bigbig gets admitted here and as someone rightly said - they will only let poor patients on death beds come here. I completely agree with the intern who wrote that post .... kudos to her :-). We do our best with all that is given to us. We don't mind when it is not appreciated, but let we not be depreciated!!!!!!! PS : I am an avid listener to your Aaha Kaapi Club as it coincides with my timing as I start and reach GH! Great Job!
Nice one Chinnu..First as the Dr said we have to use the Govt Dr's and top of that Many of the Drs working in the Govt hospitals asking the patients to come and consult them at their private nursing home...first they have to stop and give quality medication in Govt hospitals...wardboys are also human beings ..even they should be treated as God..they are cleaning up everything their work hours has to be reduced...next Ward boys should talk politely with the patients...coming to the patients...treat the hospital as you own house or place ...do you spit inside your house and urinate inside your house....do you keep your toilets ugly ...then why are you spoiling the public property...some one shld be there to watch these people and insist fine on the people who involve in such bad things...also keep all the machines and ambulance in well working conditions and to be used when an emergency comes..Finally we have to educate people and keep more posters on the wall ...un educated will learn everything from the pictures...if all this happens people will defly go the Govt hospitals
Dear Chinmayee,
Could u post more details about the PIL, is it against the Government hospitals or the complete medical system?
If its for all medical system (especially the private big ones), it will be good.
Put some more information on the blog, and atleast you can get 1000 people to join the PIL. A lot of people have been affected in this society by so called medical negligence and malpractices.
Good to see you started the tying the bell for the cat.
Regds,
Prabhu
sridhar.r
hi chinmayi your programs wonderful and public sensitive.i several times try to sppek in your program.but didnt get line.in last three or four days before you ask comment about private school teachers
salary scale.
in private schoolorganisation they demand high scale fees and extra curriclar activity fees.
1.private schools are get parternership with mnc companies .
2.govrenment schools are trained up to high level.
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