Corruption puts poor man's health in jeopardy

The other day, IBN channel telecast a sting operation titled 'Yamdoot' wherein it was shown as to how the poor people were  not being given free treatment in private hospitals despite theirs having been allotted the prime land on concessional rates on the undertaking that the poor will be given free treatment.The private hospitals cater to the needs of elite population of the country who have accumulated wealth through tax evasion or have acquired the same through bribes.The middle class, except those covered under reimbursement schemes, also can  not dream of getting treatment in these hospitals .The government has steadily withdrawn itself from the health sector and has put a vast population of the country at the mercy of these sharks. There are reports of unnecessary costly treatments being imposed upon ignorant patients to maximize profits.The withdrawal syndrome of the governments has also jeoparadized the working of Government Hospitals wherein corruption is ruling the roost.

In my city, we used to be proud of the medical college cum hospital and there was always a beeline of guests from our village getting specialized treatment in this hospital.The building and other infrastructure of this hospital remains at that level even after four decades but there has been tremendous development in so far as unethical practices are concerned ie. fleecing poor patients.Therefore, it is not surprising that private hospitals have mushroomed in the immediate vicinity of this once premeir institution and are shadowing its glory.