Why would anyone want to study for 9 years(MBBS+ speciality),working in subhuman conditions when he knows that he can earn a lot more after a doing a MBA from the countless substandard institutes that have sprung up in this country. When the salary of the professors of the premier madical institutes of india like AIIMS, PGIMER, KEM is less than the pay of a fresh MBA graduate, what is the incentive for a student to enter the MBBS stream.We are still lucky that there are still people who are service oriented who continue to cure inspite of all the drawbacks. While agreeing with the contents of the article, I would also like to mention that this pathetic status of doctors is also similar to that of the scientists and core researchers. The lack of funds,poor pay and lack of facilities prevents any quality research from being done. This stepmotherly attitude towards medicine and research will drive away bright students in these field to greener pastures (If it not already done so). The day is not far of when only rich people can afford to do medicine in a exorbitantly expensive private medical college/hospital.When moolah takes precedence over merit then God save us all. Dwarka
I agree with both the articles which has been written by you.
I personally feel that many people dont understand the concept of Health and as to how things related to health be regulated and how to utilize the phenomenal potential of young doctors who come out as soon as they finish their graduation and postgraduation.
There could be many ways as to setup a structure where every one who takes up MBBS lands up finishing PG and then is made to serve the country for 10 years and with salary and perks being incremented on yearly basis depending upon the performance also.
The fact however remains that not many people outside this profession understand the things which medical professionals face. Similarly medical professionals dont have much of a say in the system they work.
Going through this structure I feel it will be society which will finally pay the price for the neglect it shows towards a feild which in reality is far far far more important than any other feild was, than any other feild is and than any other feild will be. There could be a solution as to setup a system of insurance which exist in US or National health scheme which exists in UK.
My son, when young, used to admire me (a scientist) and wanted to be a scientist in the same specialty as I, but he decided against it after seeing the shabby treatment I received at the hands of the scientifically incompetent and corrupt bosses in my organization. (I got into trouble for blowing the whistle on some of them.) Subsequently, my son graduated in medicine (MBBS) at a top-ranking institution: but then he decided not to pursue medicine any further, after witnessing the tremendous encouragement given by the government to downright quackery (e.g, homoeopathy, acupuncture, unani, ayurveda, and also oddities like "Registered Medical Practitioner") that has made it impossible to earn a decent livelihood through honest private practice. He also saw for himself the horrible life of interns, residents, and the junior ranking doctors in hospitals and government service. (By the way, I have great admiration for the doctors in govt. service, e.g. CGHS, because most of them are knowledgeable, and COMPASSIONATE towards patients.) I am glad to say that my son found a career away from practicing medicine.
RE:Thriving quackery is also a problem
by naren on Aug 05, 2005 08:02 AM
respected sir i am some one with similar thoughts.after all its only one life. can u please tell me what your son is doing and how could he get there? i have just finished my internship from bangalore.
RE:Thriving quackery is also a problem
by DR. A. J. KHAN on Oct 29, 2005 03:29 PM
i'm very pained and saddened to see this(quackery) happening under the nose of those responsible for prevention of such practices. your son took a wise step to opt out of medical profession. would you please inform what has he taken up as an alternative.
dear sir, As general Practitioner practicing for the last 18 years its a sruggle for survival. Though i am doing reasonably well ther is a sense of insecurity always. After many years i am liked by the community but financially i can never compare with a software engineer. I work for ten hours with so much of risks including possibility of getitting HIV from contact. With many corporate hospitals, freecamps al around its always a struggle for survival. Is it still worth becoming a doctor yes if you become a consultant but not a GP!
RE:its a shame
by anshul on Apr 21, 2006 09:26 PM
I'm a class xii student & even i know that one can't get hiv by mere contact or shaking hands. Its disheartening to see that even people from medical fraternity r ignorant abt such things
I must say that a lot of efforts were put in this article since this is what happens.Having completed my MBBS 4m a reputed Govt coll I am finding it difficult 2 get a PG seat, thanks 2 our university who has put 2 fresh bachtes 2gether 4 exam including having reduced the seats.I must tell u that the private hospitals also pay five to six thousand ,I think most of the employees r paid more than us.4m my experience so far I would say come into this profession only if u have ur parents as docs or r wealthy , who could buy u a seat costing around 15-30 lacs.
the serving ones are the worst paid in comparison to its other counterparts.in aplace like bihar a doctor is posted in aplace where electricity has not come for 13 yrs they live in quarters which hardly have a proper roof,no water,no civic amenities,performing surgeries in lantern or torch light,no vehicles leave aside the payments they get from the govt.
hi rashmi..i could actually relate to everything u wrote in both ur articles on doctors..its indeed a veryyy long journey n highly disheartening at times.the system needs to be seriously looked at n amended.the fresh graduatin doctors have no option but to simply keep waitin to secure admission to pg as their hardly r any seats...in turn the whole thing gets so frustrating for the already overworked n meagerly paid but highly respected DOCTOR..engg/mba definitely being a better career option in my opinion
Here we go again, into the "medicine vs engineering" debate. As if no other subjects exist. Yes, as long as the perception remains that these are ways to become rich, these fields will attract mediocre and greedy people with no integrity. And students will not have the courage and conviction to study what they genuinely enjoy. Most of us graduates have studied not out of love for our subjects, but for the degree at the end of the process. Shame on us. And shame on those of us young people who continue to perpetuate the myths that run (ruin?) our education system.
hi rashmi...m aditi, a student preparing for medical ent....after readin ur article i was stunned for a sec....only for a sec....coz i realized dat if u say watever is written in dis article for mbbs then its true but if u say d same for physiotherapy then its not at all true....coz last year it had cum in d news d amount of physiotherapists in country are far less than needed....infact it is very true in my town too....m from a small town near a'bad n der is only one physio out here....she is earnin like crazy n moreover she is so busy d entire days dat she hardly gets time for herself.....so i wud just like to tell u to look into d matter more deeply n than write bout it.....was nice readin ur article.....i know i shudnt hv written such a thing but i just cunt help myself.....bye!!!!!!
