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Chairman's Corner
Chairman's Corner
In my heart of heart
In my heart of heart
Ravi Ramakantan
Ravi Ramakantan
Fifteen or twenty years ago - things at our hospital were not as bad. We had more people around, material was more easily available; the hospital was run by the administration and not by the unions and politicians as it probably is now. Even then, many of us strongly felt that there was a need to change the system of medical staffing so as to retain people. At that time, some of us spearheaded a movement -one of the many thus far- to allow full timers private practice.
Fifteen or twenty years ago - things at our hospital were not as bad. We had more people around, material was more easily available; the hospital was run by the administration and not by the unions and politicians as it probably is now. Even then, many of us strongly felt that there was a need to change the system of medical staffing so as to retain people. At that time, some of us spearheaded a movement -one of the many thus far- to allow full timers private practice.
All supported it - we swore by it. However, one man - one of the most respected in the campus - Sunil Pandya - the Chief of Neurosurgery - strongly opposed it. We adored "SKP"; he liked us a lot; he knew we were the future of KEM; he supported us in all our endeavors. But this time around it was a firm "NO".
All supported it - we swore by it. However, one man - one of the most respected in the campus - Sunil Pandya - the Chief of Neurosurgery - strongly opposed it. We adored "SKP"; he liked us a lot; he knew we were the future of KEM; he supported us in all our endeavors. But this time around it was a firm "NO".
"I am sorry" he said. "No matter how hard you try to convince me; I will not be convinced. The "practice allowed" system has been tried in other states and it has the dubious distinction of being a consistent failure. In all states, the standard of medical practice, ethics and education has gone down. There is no way I can support you."
"I am sorry" he said. "No matter how hard you try to convince me; I will not be convinced. The "practice allowed" system has been tried in other states and it has the dubious distinction of being a consistent failure. In all states, the standard of medical practice, ethics and education has gone down. There is no way I can support you."
The four of us (Bharat Dalvi, Mukund Thatte, Dilip Karnad and I ) walked dejectedly out of his office muttering some uncharitable comments about the "Old man".
The four of us (Bharat Dalvi, Mukund Thatte, Dilip Karnad and I ) walked dejectedly out of his office muttering some uncharitable comments about the "Old man".
Time went by - Bharat and Mukund chose to go into private practice - and two of the brightest young minds were lost to our institutions; Dilip and I stayed back for our own personal reasons. A couple of years ago, there was a move again to reactivate the "demand" for allowing practice to full timers. This time around things were much worse - the staffing situation had become alarming; some superspecialities were on the verge of derecognition and most of all, the finances of the BMC were in doldrums. Most importantly, the MCI dropped its demand that medical teachers could not do private practice. With some concerted effort and support of Deans; our cherished dream seems to be coming true. Full timers, it seems now, will, in the near future, be allowed private practice (with the proverbial "many a slip between the cup and the lip" permitting!).
Time went by - Bharat and Mukund chose to go into private practice - and two of the brightest young minds were lost to our institutions; Dilip and I stayed back for our own personal reasons. A couple of years ago, there was a move again to reactivate the "demand" for allowing practice to full timers. This time around things were much worse - the staffing situation had become alarming; some superspecialities were on the verge of derecognition and most of all, the finances of the BMC were in doldrums. Most importantly, the MCI dropped its demand that medical teachers could not do private practice. With some concerted effort and support of Deans; our cherished dream seems to be coming true. Full timers, it seems now, will, in the near future, be allowed private practice (with the proverbial "many a slip between the cup and the lip" permitting!).
So why am I not jumping with joy? Why am I pensive and worried; why am I having second thoughts? The answer is age and experience. Now 15 years since what Sunil Pandya told us; the reality of his words still haunts me. I know and understand ground reality better. I know and understand that human beings in Mumbai's teaching hospitals cannot be very different from those in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Rajasthan or so many other states which are regretting the decision to allow private practice to full timers.
So why am I not jumping with joy? Why am I pensive and worried; why am I having second thoughts? The answer is age and experience. Now 15 years since what Sunil Pandya told us; the reality of his words still haunts me. I know and understand ground reality better. I know and understand that human beings in Mumbai's teaching hospitals cannot be very different from those in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Rajasthan or so many other states which are regretting the decision to allow private practice to full timers.
I can well imagine what will happen. Full timers will spend less and less time within the campus; teaching and research will be the first casualties; malpractices many creep in; hospital facilities may be misused…. the list is unending.
I can well imagine what will happen. Full timers will spend less and less time within the campus; teaching and research will be the first casualties; malpractices many creep in; hospital facilities may be misused…. the list is unending.
Am I a pessimist; is there not a positive side? I think not. In my heart of heart, I know that medical education and training will go to the dogs.
Am I a pessimist; is there not a positive side? I think not. In my heart of heart, I know that medical education and training will go to the dogs.
In spite of all this; when asked for a vote; I put my hand up in favour of trying this new system. My reasoning was simple. Things are very bad now; they will surely get unmanageable if nothing is done. With the new system, there is a small hope - very small - but surely some hope.
In spite of all this; when asked for a vote; I put my hand up in favour of trying this new system. My reasoning was simple. Things are very bad now; they will surely get unmanageable if nothing is done. With the new system, there is a small hope - very small - but surely some hope.
I only hope that we devise a simple way of getting back to the "no practice allowed" system -if things go awry in a few years. I really hope so.
I only hope that we devise a simple way of getting back to the "no practice allowed" system -if things go awry in a few years. I really hope so.
Today, more than any other time in my life, I truly understand …
Today, more than any other time in my life, I truly understand …
What they mean, when they say "Caught between the devil and the deep sea".
What they mean, when they say "Caught between the devil and the deep sea".
Life does test us; does it not?
Life does test us; does it not?
December 2002
December 2002
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