Protocol to save life?

A man, who was brought to Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital with a heart attack and unbearable chest pain, died on the fifth day without receiving proper treatment or care. This incident is not only heartbreaking but also points with concern to the serious limitations in our public health system. Venu, an autorickshaw driver from Kollam and the father of two school-going daughters, had sent a voice message to his friend shortly before his death, expressing his sadness, disappointment and anger. The content of this audio message can cause embarrassment for all of us who proudly speak about the 'Kerala Model' in the health sector. Despite several achievements, the increasing frequency of such deaths in government hospitals is worrying.

With full respect for the invaluable services provided by government hospitals, it must still be said that Venu’s words to his friend- “I haven’t received even the care given to a dog these five days”- cannot be dismissed as a lonely cry. Whether it is the large number of patients, shortage of doctors, or system failures- whatever the officials say, a human life was lost because of human-made circumstances. For Sindhu and her daughters, Vidya and Varsha, the loss is of their beloved husband and father. Listening to Sindhu describe the neglect and denial of help they faced at the medical college hospital would make "healthy" Kerala bow its head in shame.

How can the authorities justify not doing even an angiogram to assess the severity and urgency of the artery block in a heart-attack survivor, even after five days? Yesterday, hospital authorities said they had followed all protocols properly. There may be protocols for tests, treatments and surgeries. But there is no protocol for how staff should treat patients who come in a critical condition and their families. When Sindhu asked an attendant to help take Venu in a wheelchair, he is said to have replied, “That is not our duty.” It was a human life that got crushed between protocol and duty.

Medical college hospitals with referral systems are so crowded that doctors do not even get enough time to examine patients properly or ask basic questions. When hospitals turn into “pressure chambers” because timely appointments are not made and new posts are not created, we should not ignore the helplessness of doctors either. Recently, there were news reports that the Health Minister and Finance Minister argued over this issue in the cabinet meeting. Financial constraints may be cited for many delays, but the one thing that must never be postponed is the need for more doctor appointments. Counting mistakes or blaming individuals will not solve the problem. Everything possible must be done to reduce the rush in major hospitals and ensure that eligible patients get advanced treatment without delay. One more responsibility should not be forgotten: the government must take up the educational expenses of Venu’s two daughters. This is not charity, it is a duty.