Last week, a few hours before some doctors at the TU Teaching Hospital decided to close-down emergency service as a part of their protest, I was there for a not-so-emergency case that required an operation.
The consultant doctor who was seeing the patient for months was there ready to perform the operation. But the agitating doctors decided, after failed negotiation with the administration, that even emergency would be closed.
We were left stranded with a patient needing a surgery on the same day. Thankfully, I was among a few who had connections so that I could arrange, for the higher price and even higher psychological pressure, a private hospital’s operation theatre.
But majority of patients at TUTH could only wait – either the end of the protest or life!
* * *
At school, they taught me that heart is the most important organ of the body – the central. I didn’t go to medical schools, but I am sure the doctors know the fact more clearly than me.
The doctors of course know importance of physical heart that beats for blood?
But do they have the heart that beats for the feelings?
* * *
For last two weeks, the TUTH is closed due to strike. For those who can afford, closing down a government hospital probably means nothing than a topic of gossips.
But for those who are not rich – TUTH is lifeblood.
For me, watching people waiting for the hospital services to resume, in the premises of TUTH, during my four hours there a week ago, was almost unbearable. Probably I was dressed a little well, some of them looked at me as if I brought them a message of resumption of service.
The pain was on their face; the tears on their looks.
But do the doctors feel the pain? Do they see the tears?
* * *
What’s not there for doctors in Nepali society? It’s a most respected profession. Many believe doctors are gods. They earn good, at least in Kathmandu.
Health services are essential services. No matter what happens hospital should not be closed down.
I have heard, certificates and studying alone does not make a man wise. What could be a better example than the doctors who have decided to close down health services for merely protesting the ‘alleged rigging of examination’?
* * *
Doctors, if heart is the most important, why don’t you have one?
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