Well this one is a sequel to the previous post. I didn’t expect to write on this subject so soon again. But there have been some developments and stories in the news yesterday that are worth the mention here!
The National AIDS Control Board (NACB) has recently announced that it will provide free second line ART treatment for AIDS in four cities of India – Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmedaba and Hyderabad. In addition, it will launch this program in four more states from December. Several doctors from these states will be sent to Thailand for training on how to properly administer this treatment. Btw, Brazil provides the second line ART treatment for free in a national move to help contain the spread of AIDS and AIDS related deaths in Brazil.
The National AIDS Control Board (NACB) has recently announced that it will provide free second line ART treatment for AIDS in four cities of India – Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmedaba and Hyderabad. In addition, it will launch this program in four more states from December. Several doctors from these states will be sent to Thailand for training on how to properly administer this treatment. Btw, Brazil provides the second line ART treatment for free in a national move to help contain the spread of AIDS and AIDS related deaths in Brazil.
For more, you can read the same on:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/HealthSci/Second-line_drug_free_to_combat_AIDS/articleshow/3170106.cms
But that was the good part. There was also an article in the paper that reaffirmed the ironic state of medical education. Private medical institutions are sprouting up all over the country. Rural stint is not mandatory if graduating from a private institute. Since one ends up coughing a sizeable amount for medical education from these private institutes, graduates are in hurry to receive their return on investment as soon as possible. Therefore, such students end up seeking jobs with private hospitals and do not prefer the public hospitals which typically pay less than most private hospitals. Fair enough.
Additionally, another news article stated that resident doctors in hospitals are highly susceptible to tuberculosis due to lack of hygiene and sufficient protective gear and sanitation. Given these conditions, how can we expect these doctors to consider public hospitals? And for those who are currently working there, it is absolutely dangerous to put them through these unhygienic working conditions. Not only are we putting them through danger, it is also dangerous for the other patients.
So the question arises, that while there are some silver linings in our public healthcare system, are we equipped for this? Have we reached a point where so much damage has been done that it will be very difficult for us to address this issue? Well the optimist that I am, I don’t want to believe that there is no way out. But sometimes, Reality Bites!
But that was the good part. There was also an article in the paper that reaffirmed the ironic state of medical education. Private medical institutions are sprouting up all over the country. Rural stint is not mandatory if graduating from a private institute. Since one ends up coughing a sizeable amount for medical education from these private institutes, graduates are in hurry to receive their return on investment as soon as possible. Therefore, such students end up seeking jobs with private hospitals and do not prefer the public hospitals which typically pay less than most private hospitals. Fair enough.
Additionally, another news article stated that resident doctors in hospitals are highly susceptible to tuberculosis due to lack of hygiene and sufficient protective gear and sanitation. Given these conditions, how can we expect these doctors to consider public hospitals? And for those who are currently working there, it is absolutely dangerous to put them through these unhygienic working conditions. Not only are we putting them through danger, it is also dangerous for the other patients.
So the question arises, that while there are some silver linings in our public healthcare system, are we equipped for this? Have we reached a point where so much damage has been done that it will be very difficult for us to address this issue? Well the optimist that I am, I don’t want to believe that there is no way out. But sometimes, Reality Bites!
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