New Delhi, Aug 23 : Bemoaning the “massive brain drain” of young, talented and hardworking doctors, Chief Justice of India N.V.Ramana on Tuesday stated that the government of the state and central governments are responsible to ensure the well-being of medical students from rural and small town areas, and in improving their working conditions.In the initial National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS) Public Oration, he declared: “Since there was no explicit mention of the right to health under the Fundamental Rights, the Supreme Court, in the case of Bandhua Mukti Morcha, took the interpretation of Article 21 to encompass the right to health.In the case of Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samity the Supreme Court held that failure on the part of the government hospital to provide timely medical care to a patient in need of this treatment is in the violation of the right of life as guaranteed under Article 21.”
“In an aspect I would say that law and medicine are similar.We must stay abreast of the most recent advances in our fields so that we can offer the most efficient legal or medical treatment.A competent lawyer, just like an excellent doctor, should always be committed to learning and acquiring more knowledge.
The opportunities for growth in both fields seem endless.Both law and medicine are two of the oldest occupations in the world.” he added.
The CJI also stated that in modern times, doctors are able to play multiple roles, such as healthcare providers, caregivers and managers, educators and policy makers, etc.
“Our encounter with Covid has taught us about the importance of comprehensive healthcare for everyone.Particularly in a country such as India where there is a wide disparity in the accessibility to health care and physicians are accountable to the general public.
The high cost of medical care together with the burdensome barriers have made it nearly impossible for those with limited resources to receive adequate healthcare.
“It is the expense of health care that’s causing people to ignore their health well-being and care needs.
The most heartbreaking thing is that the vital preventive stage is often missed when people ignore their health requirements.They only seek medical attention when their condition is not manageable and has reached a certain level,” he added.
Because the patient usually has only an knowledge of the condition and procedure of treatment and treatment, the medical professional has more responsibility towards the patient in an obligation of fiduciary, he said.
He also pointed out that the medical treatment for a person involves many parties.”They have to navigate private hospitals, doctors, as well as insurance companies.Through this process , the patient is unable to trust only doctors.It is the doctor’s presence and involvement that provides the confidence for patients that they aren’t only consumers.” he said.
The Chief Justice stated that he “must find the issue which I am strongly disposed to”.
“During the pandemic, I observed numerous instances of doctors having been abused, threatened and slammed.
Yet they continued to work in the frontline.The negative reaction to doctors is truly unjust.Many false cases are being brought against honest and hardworking doctors.They require a more hygienic and safer working environment.
We must create an environment that encourages more youngsters want to become doctors in order to help Indian society.
“This attitude towards doctors is causing them to send our best talent overseas.
An enormous brain loss is happening in which talented, young and hardworking doctors don’t think about an opportunity in India.As a society, we need to change this and encourage our doctors to remain in India to keep their work and achieve both our social and medical objectives,” he said.
He said that both state and central governments also have a significant obligation.
“Many hopeful doctors from small cities and rural areas rely on the state for support, education and job.However, in addition to this initial assistance the government should be concerned about the welfare of its doctors , and enhance their working conditions.The government should think of more effective incentives to ensure that doctors are accessible to the rural population,” he said.
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