It was shocking to read about the jailing of a 70 year old
Doctor for having insisted on trying to protect the interests of patients in an
Intensive Care Unit, rather strongly.
My initial points of observations after reading this news
are: The strong ire of the cop who 'felt' insulted by the doc's behavior; The septuagenarian's plight in Puzhal prison on
a hot night ; his mental trauma & insult of spending a night in jail after
such a long and glorified service. A dignified doctor with a good track record
and also a Professor teaching many of the practicing Doctors, his honor has
been trampled upon and I wonder whether he will be in a frame of mind to return
to the hospital again.
I am sure there must have been some untoward altercations
that must have led to the recommendations of the security for filing such a
strong case against the old man. Notwithstanding the same, one wonders as to what
has prevented the security in observing the rules of the hospital? If he had
been accompanying a VVIP, one can understand that he should be in an alert
state. But, it appears he was on a visit to supervise the security arrangements
in anticipation of the VVIP's visit.
However high and mighty, when one enters others' space, one
has to follow the rules and there is no exception. I have seen photographs of
high dignitaries in other countries, where they are properly attired for the
occasion be it a hospital or an Industrial unit or a war zone. It's only in
India that exemptions are assumed to be made for people in high places and this
illusion has to be thwarted by the VVIP themselves by adhering to the rules of
the place. Of course, there were leaders like Mrs Indira Gandhi who insisted on
a helmet while visiting the Pokharan site and the accompanying top officials and scientists were also seen with
one.
The Doctors' association has threatened to act if the
charges are not withdrawn before April 4th- Why so long?
What is the reaction of the Hospital authorities for whom the
doctor was on duty that day?
Some months back, I was visiting the Critical Care Unit almost daily for 3
weeks as a visitor when my brother was a CCU patient and the concerned hospital
had good security system in place. The hospital has to answer as to how the
security at the ICU entrance allowed the person to walk into ICU with the shoes.
Had it been objected at the doorstep, the doctor need not and would not have interfered and the
whole incident could have been averted. I recollect when the then President Zail Singh desired to visit Guruvayoor temple, the Dewaswoom authorities insisted that he must remove the shirt, as per the tradition. When the dignitary was not willing to comply with, he was forced to cancel the visit. I wish the Security at the hospital has also put his foot down.
As TOI has rightly observed it is surprising why the
Magistrate has not exercised his discretion but has ordered imprisonment and subsequently provided for release
on bail after some sureties and bonds. The accused has also been ordered to appear at
the court and sign every day until further orders. Did the doc tried to kill
someone? Why jail him in the first instance. At 70 do you apprehend that he may
flee?
Despite the arguments and their counters, my heart goes out
to the old man who I am sure would be more shattered for having been jailed for
an act of duty which he has undertaken to observe when he took up this noble
profession. Former Pakistan President Musharaff has said that " He felt
humiliated standing before a Judge". If a Military General used to killings
on the battlefields , and the rigors of laws and courts felt like it, imagine
the mental agony of an ordinary doctor
used to saving lives, when locked up for a night.
Why is that all the sections of law are applied stringently against one for doing
his duties? So much respect for Senior citizens!
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