This has reference to the ongoing discussion on doctors and corruption. In this connection I would like to share the agony of a victim of these vultures.
For the sake of privacy for the concerned victims, I am taking a few precautions in relating this true story which is being played out right now even as I write this mail. There is a person, an elderly person who was suffering from a persistent cold. So the person went for treatment to a doctor. The doctor ordered several tests in Goa and later in Mumbai and as a result, it was determined that the person had a cancerous growth in the nose. The growth was operated and the victim was also subjected to chemotheraphy. For a period of time all was well as can be imagined for a victim who has undergone chemo. After a few months the victim was unwell and it was suggested that the victim should undergo chemo in Mumbai. By this time the victim had spent Rs. 5 Lakhs.(USD 10, 800 at today's current rate) Now, the real trouble starts. The victim consulted a doctor specializing in cancer treatment and was made to undergo chemo at Rs. 100000 (USD 2200) per session. The sessions were preceded by visits to a pathological lab. The lab is run by the doctors wife. She charges 5K per visit and the same amount or more for each test. Hence each session would cost around 40 -50K, chemo sessions extra. After finishing the course, the victim is back in Goa. The doctors have told the relations that there is 'no hope' and only palliatives can be administered. It is only a matter of time. The agony of the family is increased by visits of other relatives who have been warned not to discuss the condition of the victim who does not know his fate. These people kept on shelling out for the chemo, the tests, the injections all with the hope that the victim whom they know is going to die anyway in the hope of keeping that person alive. Fleecing a dying victim is definitely not a part of Hippocrates's doctrine. Ironically, they swear the sacred Oath of Hippocrates which is thrown in the hazardous substances bin when they are interns and haven't really begun practising privately. -- "Tony de Sa" < tonydesa at gmail dot com>
