The incident at Sir JJ Group of Hospitals where the relative of deceased patient who was receiving treatment for a gall bladder ailment allegedly assaulted a resident doctor, accusing him of negligence, showcases how civilians put the lives of doctors — who are considered life givers — under risk.

For Dr Hasmukh Ravat, senior interventional cardiologist and head of Fortis Hospital, Mulund, this is the matter of lack of understanding and failure to provide institutional security to doctors. “Assaulting anyone physically is a violent action and that has to be stopped. Of late, no proper actions have been taken,” sighs the doctor.

“Medical practitioners are also human and they try their best to serve the patient. But if a casualty happens, then they should not blame the doctor; and if they think that there is a case of negligence, they should follow the law,” Dr Ravat adds.

Echoing the view, consultant chest physician and critical care specialist Dr Amit Gawande says that people need to rise above the perception of good and bad doctors. “Doctors always try to help the patient and any casualty during treatment is not intentional. Our profession is considered to be one of social service. I understand it is a noble job, but doctors also have bills to pay,” says Dr Gawande.

The professionals stress on the long working hours that doctors have to endure. “It is a profession of the mind. A doctor has to take decisions about the patient. Also, there are not enough doctors. They are working at a stretch and ultimately they are human beings and they also get tired,” says Dr Ravat.

To an extent, doctors believe that the government action is wanting. Dr Sujit Shanshanwal, consultant dermatologist, Apollo Clinic believes that the profession’s nobility has gone down over the years due to this. “Doctors in private hospitals can choose their working hours, but not in government hospitals,” says Dr Shanshanwal.

Dr Gawande adds, “The normal ratio is one doctor for 150 patients; why can’t the government appoint more doctors.”

And like any other stress –filled job, the long working hours exacerbate the situation. “Mentally, it is very frustrating job. Doctors are scared so they can’t be expected to take decisions because people come not just with the patient but with metaphorical legal authorities with them,” asserts Dr Gawande. Concurring with this, Dr Raval says, “Doctors are working in fear all the time. There can be mortality during the procedure but that doesn’t mean negligence,” he concludes.