President acknowledges issue of violence against Doctors, expresses Dissaproval

Kolkata: While the medical fraternity has been raising the issue of violence against doctor, seeking earliest response from the government, the President of India, in a recent ceremony was seen acknowledging the issue and expressing his strong disapproval for the same.

The President expressed his grief towards the doctors who are continuously facing the wrath of the patient's family besides their immense effort and  conditional services. He said “When a patient dies, at times there are allegations that the doctor did not give him proper treatment. So the hospital now has to be ransacked, and the doctors beaten up. This is improper."

“Nobody can guarantee that a life can be saved. Despite the advances in medical science, so far it is not in a position to give such a guarantee. They can only try by using all their knowledge, competence and experience,” he added.

The President also told the doctors the need on the part of doctors to treat patients with a humane touch

"At times I hear complaints from people and also read in newspapers that the concept of service -- to serve the sick to serve the needy -- is fast receding from medical treatment," he said.

"Just as there is need for modern treatment and medicines, similarly a humane touch is a must. It can only come from the behaviour of the doctors. A smiling face can cure half of the disease."

The President also spoke about the need of the patients' relatives to know that the expenses for medical treatment has to be borne.

"It would have been the best case scenario had the government been able to bear the entire cost of medical treatment. But that's not possible. So we also have to bear the cost," he added.

The President was speaking at the inauguration of the Indian Institute of Liver and Digestive Sciences at Sonarpur, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal.