NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu on Monday said that attacks on doctors and medical practitioners by patients or their relatives and attendants were to be condemned and was totally unacceptable. Her remarks assume significance as they come close on the heels of the massive protests by doctors across India demanding stringent laws to protect them from violent assaults.
Addressing the 10th convocation of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences (ABVIMS) and Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Murmu said that violent behaviour, even if triggered by anger after something untoward happened to a patient, shouldn’t result in the mistreatment of medical professionals because doctors dedicate themselves to saving lives.
The President acknowledged that while doctors strove to provide the best possible care, there were instances when science might not have all the answers for the problems of the patients. “None of the doctors wants any harm to patients, but on many occasions, the solutions are not available in science,” said Murmu, highlighting the limitations that healthcare providers sometimes face despite their best efforts and for which they also face violence.
The President also referred to When Breath Becomes Air, an autobiographical book by American neurosurgeon Paul Kalanithi, which contains numerous anecdotes illustrating the limitations of medical science. She recognised that doctors, who frequently encounter life and death situations, understood these limitations and were often required to make difficult decisions.
Murmu also noted that doctors worked in high-stress environments, which may sometimes cause them to appear restless. However, this did not diminish their dedication to their patients, she said. She praised the medical community for its selfless efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic when they risked their own lives to save others, and expressed the nation’s gratitude for their human connection and personal touch in combating the epidemic.
During the ceremony, the President conferred degrees to 36 university toppers, while over 400 students from different batches of 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2020 received their degrees.
Speaking at the convocation, Union health minister JP Nadda reminded the new medical graduates of the importance of assisting those in need and making it one’s primary goal. He emphasised that a comforting demeanour and compassionate communication could alleviate patients’ worries and suffering. “We need to keep telling ourselves that words can heal and can have both immediate and everlasting effect,” Nadda added, highlighting the significance of the language and tone used by healthcare professionals when interacting with patients.
Dr Ajay Shukla, director and medical superintendent of the hospital, shared the story of the institution’s growth from a 54-bed hospital in 1932 to its current 1,500-bed existence. He revealed that the super specialty block was nearly complete and it would increase the bed strength to 2,200. The hospital is also on track to build a new medical college, with the foundation stone laid by the Prime Minister. ABVIMS has rapidly become one of the most sought-after medical education institutes in the country, he said.
The event was also attended by Dr VK Paul, member (health), NITI Aayog, Union health secretary Apurva Chandra, Punya Salila Srivastava, officer on special duty, Union health ministry, and Jaydeep Mishra, additional secretary and financial advisor, Union health ministry.
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