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| Sunday, 28 March 2004 |
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Public confidence in doctors eroded Kandy Society of Medicine (KSM) President Dr. Lilaknath Weerasinghe in a telling indictment of members of the medical profession calls for improving academic and professional standards of medical personnel in his presidential address at KSM annual academic sessions held in Kandy recently. Excerpts from his address: I now want to divert your attention to a challenge faced by the KSM and similar organisations throughout the country. I feel that we have to collectively address our minds to this problem which concerns the profession. That is the question of the alleged deterioration of the ethical and professional standards among doctors. I still believe that the medical profession is the most respected of all the professions, but the media and the general public level allegations and make critical assessments of doctors, admittedly and sadly some of which are justified, whilst others are exaggerated and sometimes unfounded. In this bleak background, we need self-criticism and self-evaluation, both at the personal and professional levels to try and rescue the profession from this sad plight. In order to address these problems, we need to first look into the causes. In my opinion these criticisms are of multi factorial origin: * Too frequent and harsh Trade Union activities that compromise the plight of the sick and ailing, for monetary gains and sometimes petty issues such as appointments and transfers which the general public has nothing to do with. I agree that Trade Union action is necessary when it comes to certain issues, but definitely not at the expense of the sick. * Monetary considerations have somewhat eroded the public confidence in doctors. This is chiefly due to the abuse of private practice by some within our profession. * Unwarranted and excessive professional pride exhibited by a minority has led to arrogance and a superiority complex which now reflects badly on the profession as a whole. * Occasional, personal jealousies amongst colleagues contribute to the degeneration of the profession. * The general decline in the discipline and moral and ethical values in society has eroded into the medical profession as well. * Inadequacies of the Health Department and political bungling sometimes obstruct doctors in their quest to provide medical care, compelling us to give sub-standard treatment. The public and the media being ignorant or unaware of this factor place the entire blame on the doctors. Now ladies and gentlemen, this is why I said the alleged deterioration of the professional and ethical standards may be true, exaggerated, or unfounded. However, when we are at fault, we must be humble enough to correct ourselves. How do we do that? I believe that religious and spiritual values still remain the finest source of human grandeur and loftiness. May I talk to you now at a very personal level, drawing from my own religious background? The Buddha has summed up in the Sigalovada sutta the qualities one should develop to become an ideal human being. 1) Refrain from all the evil: The four factors that compel folks towards evil are the 'satara agathi' - the four sources of decline: Chanda - intense desire: Intense desire may be towards wealth, material comforts, race, political parties, egoistic concerns etc. By common experience we all know that the pursuit of these desires lead to trouble and decline. Dosa: Hatred. Moha - ignorance and delusion: This too is a major cause of irrational practices. Bhaya - fear: Fear may compel a person to act inappropriately, yielding consequences that lead to decline. Let us overcome these factors step by step! 2). Cultivate all good: This could be achieved by following the 'sathara sangraha vastu' - the four factors of hospitality: Dana: Generosity, or sharing magnanimity. Priya vachana: Pleasant soothing words. Artha chariyawa - meaningful profound activities:: To engage only in activities that are considered good in society, and to avoid the bad. Samanathmathawaya - equality in mind and heart: In company, conversation or any other deed, one's behaviour should be such that other persons should not feel inferior. 3) Develop the mental sphere: The remedy for this is 'sathara brahma viharana' - the four sublime states: Metta - loving kindness: This is the wish that oneself and all others be happy and out of trouble. Karuna: Genuine compassion for the suffering. Ladies and gentlemen, in my opinion the above guidelines of the Buddha will help you to become a good human being and an ideal doctor. One need not necessarily be a Buddhist to practise these guidelines for the Buddha's word is 'akalika' and 'lokoththara'. That is, the Buddha's word is universal, for it extends beyond any religious faith to all humanity, and it is applicable regardless of the times in which we live. May I conclude with a quotation from the Dhammapada: Thanca kammang kathang sadhu That is: Well done is that deed |
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