issue
Doctors no more saints
Some private hospitals and clinics are fleecing people by making them go through multiple tests at the slightest problem. Here are some experiences people reported to The News on Sunday
By Rubiya Moghees
There was once a time when parents would take pride in their off-spring who entered the noble profession of medicine. The aspiring doctors were strictly told by their elders to adhere to the demands and uphold the values that this profession holds. Some would work free for the destitute others would wear out their entire lifetimes working in government hospitals as a contribution towards the poor who cannot afford exorbitant consultation fees of private clinics.

Unholy alliance
The psyche behind crowning the law enforcers and sometimes wrong-doers
By Suhail Akhter
Dragging administrative authorities into social or political affairs has resulted in chaos at national level but now this practice also finds its place at a smaller scale.

RESPONSES TO LAST WEEK'S
QUESTION
TOP 10
Picnic Spots
1. Bagh-e-Jinnah
2. Lahore Wildlife Park
3. Museum

government

Kashmir Singh, who was released on March 3, 2008 from Kot Lakhpat Jail Lahore after languishing for 35 years in Pakistani jails remained focal point for Pakistani media for two days as most of the private TV channels and newspapers kept giving him coverage from his release to crossing Wahga border Lahore.

The cameramen of TV channels and newspapers waited for the arrival of Kashmir Singh for hours at Wahga checkpost to give him coverage just like media coverage was given to former Indian prime minister Atal Behari Wajpai on his visit to Pakistan to end standoff between Pakistan and India. He was prime minister then. Kashmir Singh was accompanied by Caretaker Federal Minister for Human Rights, Ansar Burney. On reaching Wahga he was surrounded by mediamen. Some TV channels were giving live coverage and updates.

There seem to be few reasons why he got so much media attention. There was something in his name, perhaps, that people wanted to know about him. Pakistani people are conscious about Kashmir issue and anything related to Kashmir makes them curious. The other reason of media coverage might be his three and a half decades detention in Pakistani jails or some alleged reports that Singh embraced Islam and offered prayers five times a day which he later denied. The large media coverage might be to convey a message to the world community that Pakistan is the flag bearer of human rights and Pakistani government wants good relationship with neighbouring country, India.

Kashmir Singh was arrested for spying in Rawalpindi area and was sentenced to death by a military court. Of course he had committed a big crime but Pakistan released him keeping in view human rights. It is a matter of great concern that India has never reciprocated the goodwill gestures of Pakistan. Hundreds of Pakistanis are languishing in Indian jails. Most of them were arrested either while crossing border inadvertently or had expired visa.

The case of Kashmir Singh was taken up first time by Ansar Burney, the champion of prisoners' cause who had forward summary for mercy appeal of Singh to President General Pervez Musharraf which was accepted. Its commendable on the part of Ansar Burney to ensure release of Kashmir Singh, but he (as human rights minister) should take up the matter of Pakistani prisoners with Indian authorities for their release. He should take measures for the release of innocent people who are imprisoned in various jails of the country.

Describing the case of Kashmir Singh, Ansar Burney tells TNS that Singh was an employee of police in Amritsar, Indian Punjab, and after losing his job, he began smuggling from Pakistan to India to make a living. Kashmir Singh and his accomplice were arrested in Rawalpindi on charge of spying in 1973. Kashmir Singh was awarded death sentence by a military court while his accomplice was awarded ten years' imprisonment. His accomplice was repatriated to India after completing the period of imprisonment. In 1978, Kashmir Singh had filed mercy appeal but it was rejected. Singh was lodged in various prisons of Pakistan and he spent 14 years in Sahiwal and 10 years in Multan besides undergoing imprisonment in Mianwali and Lahore. He was the eldest of three brothers and a sister and had married his childhood love at the age of 16. He had two sons and a daughter. He was arrested at the age of 26. Ansar Burney after hectic efforts succeeded in locating Singh's family in Hoshiarpur, Indian Punjab, and intimated them about Kashmir Singh. Now, Kashmir Singh is enjoying the rest of his life with his family in India.

As I turn the pages of my diary, one day close to nature became the experience of a life time. Here is an ode to nature that I have done a cruel injustice to perhaps. It is impossible to condense it in any way, words or expression. Thus the following is just a fragment of my poor observation and feelings and reunion with nature.

I could sit for hours and hours and look at the lush green leaves, thick, brown tree trunks and blanket of dark clouds over the light blue sky. Like a little adorable kid, the sun peeped out from among the fortress of clouds. Today in particular, I saw the yellow and orange sun to be a little powerless; overshadowed by the snow white caravan of clouds conquering the wide, infinite sky as far as my vision went.

I often ask myself which is more beautiful and spell bounding; the morning sky or the starlit one. However, as I try to judge and observe I discover that there is more.

In moments the sky was all clear, spotless blue and there a round yellow sun proudly shone over its dynasty. As the day started to pass, a little breeze blew, cool and soothing. It's always the same and welcoming. It brushes past you, touches your skin, caresses your hair and the dupatta (scarf) flies behind you rhythmically. While I stood on the roof top of my house and enjoyed the pampering nature; nearby a towering, tall tree caught my attention. The fresh lush green, graceful, leaves playfully moved to and fro to the enchanting songs of the birds. Robins, sparrows, woody woodpeckers, parrots, all sung and fluttered their wings as the tree danced with them. I wondered for long about the adorable company they are always to each other and got engrossed in the magical spell of nature.

Time slipped by like sand slips out of your hands no matter how tight your grip is. It deceives us or we deceive it I wonder.

The sky was no longer vibrant or sharp. It had transformed into a clear, silent and dull blue, waiting for something. And it happened. It was as if someone started playing with the colours, splashing them on the colossal canvas of sky. The sun started to set and sank down slowly; surrounded by shades of dim yellow, spread out orange and peach, mixed with the soft tones of pink. The wait seemed to have been worth it. How peaceful everything looked. The nature seems most engulfing and captivating at this time of the day. As my thoughts too slowed down with the setting sun, I realised how everything around had submitted itself to nature. The slow parting movements of the drowning sun with the birds flying away towards their destinies followed an invisible command. The call for prayer tied the final knot to the magnificent episode of sun setting.

Followed by twilight, night spreads its magical, mystical deep sapphire shade above. In no time the myriad of stars began to twinkle like some unique gems embedded in the velvety sky. I gazed up at the enormous deep blue sky shaded with purple. A full moon swam in the pool of enigmatic darkness above. Perfect round, white and every poet's darling. So what is it that forces the poets to say so much about the moon comparing it to their beloveds?

I thought of the infant moon, still in its formation. This thin crescent moon veiled by fleecy clouds on the first of every Islamic month pays homage to the Creator and Nurturer on the entire entity. The more I thought of the world around me, the more I became oblivious of another reality that we indulge in every single day of our lives, segregated from nature.

The night had indeed grown deeper around me. One close rendezvous with nature had answered the infinite questions I had been struggling with.

• Spring Festival: Jashan-e-Baharan at Race Course Park till 31st March from 8am to 11pm daily. There is music, food and a entertainment in the park.

• Exhibition: Paintings by Victoria & Albert Museum till March 15, Saturday at Alhamra, The Mall. The exhibition is open from 8am to 1pm daily.

• Exhibition of Ali Abbas's works titled 'Desert Breeze' at Ejaz Art Gallery, 79B1, MM Alam Road, Gulbert III till March 21, Friday. Tel: 5718038, 5756991

• Mushaira: 'Gulshan-e-Adab' on March 10, Monday at Alhamra Hall III, The Mall from 3-8pm.

• New Sangeetkaars: Concert on Tuesday, March 11 at Alhamra, Gaddafi Stadium at 6pm, organised by Leaf.

• Sitar: Ustad Ashraf Khan Poonchwalay and

Shahbaz Hussain on Tabla at Lahore Chitrkar on Saturday, March 15 at 8pm.

There was once a time when parents would take pride in their off-spring who entered the noble profession of medicine. The aspiring doctors were strictly told by their elders to adhere to the demands and uphold the values that this profession holds. Some would work free for the destitute others would wear out their entire lifetimes working in government hospitals as a contribution towards the poor who cannot afford exorbitant consultation fees of private clinics.

However, this is not the case now as we see that this field has taken a plunge in the private sector especially. The doctors are blamed for literally scrapping the skin from the poor patients by means of demanding excessive fees and making them undergo numerous tests. It seems as if every other person has an ordeal to share about his/her experience at the hands of the so-called medical stalwarts.

In recent times we have witnessed this changing trend which focuses on the sole objective of squeezing the middle class. People are genuinely afraid of falling sick as this will lead to numerous visits to the doctors since a simple bout of infection is mostly blown out of proportion by prescription of numerous diagnostic tests. The situation is alarming in the private hospitals and clinics which are actively participating in this nefarious activity.

Each doctor is assigned to prescribe tests from that hospital's particular laboratory which in return gives a certain percentage of their income generated back to the hospital. The doctors are often observed rejecting the findings of the tests from the labs operating outside the private hospital's premises in favour of their own. This case is noted in the city's important private hospitals. At least 40% of the income that the lab earns is directed towards the hospital. The families of the patients are left with very few options but to accept the demands of the doctors.

Most of the people that the scribe knows resort to self-medication for minor ailments in order to avoid being sucked into this manipulative game, very well knowing that self-treatment can be detrimental at times. It is sheer torture to visit doctors and wait in long queues for several hours just to be told that the medicine would not be prescribed unless a barrage of tests are not taken. This leads to continuous rounds to get the latest appointments from the doctors that eventually take its toll on any sane human being.

Doctor's negligence is another factor that causes distress to many. A recent example is an eye-opener in which a lady who is in her 60s and who belongs to a well-known family complained of persistent stomach ache. At least two stomach ultrasounds were carried out by 2 different labs but the findings depicted normal scans with no indication of any disease. However, much later when the MRI was performed it came out that the lady has advance cancer of intestines. The family has truly a reason to complain that if found in its initial stage the cancer could have been treatable. An insider has revealed that a prominent hospital is involved in heinous activity of prolonging stays of clinically dead patients by extending their time on the ventilator for one or two days in order to make large amount of charges by the end.

An eye-specialist sitting next to Gulberg Heights is cheating people by design. The staff makes people wait for long and doesn't give appointment of a near date. A woman who narrated this story took two of her children to the eye-specialist for a regular check-up and was surprised to see that the doctor is sending the children back home after putting eye-drops in their eyes. Though the woman said that usually the patients are made to wait outside for sometime till the pupils dilate, the doctor simply sent them home insisting that the children won't be able to linger long in the waiting line. Thus she had to come for the second day and gave 4000 rupees as fees for both the days just to get them checked. Moreover, the doctor misdiagnosed by suggesting that the children have poor eye-sight and that they need glasses. The mother who was quite annoyed by that time told the doctor to note down the findings in writing to which he bluntly refused. She took her children to another eye-doctor who said that they have perfect vision. She was a wealthy woman who could afford to visit two doctors and pay the medical fees but what happens to the countless of people who are cheated at the hands of these medical practitioners.

The doctors become butchers for many when they openly resent each other's recommendations and disapprove of taking second opinions while disregarding the fact that the patient has the right to do so. It has been seen that if a certain team of doctors are treating a critically ill patient in the hospital things turn ugly when one doctor rejects the findings of the other. It is even frustrating for the attendants if they desire to look for other specialists from different hospitals, the doctors already treating the patient show their annoyance for overlooking their course of action. While no one bothers that this is for the betterment of the patient, it becomes a clear game of clashing egos.

Illegal extraction of kidney while operating is perhaps the most atrocious of all the crimes. Another well-known hospital on Kalma Chowk in Lahore came under cloud recently. A woman in her mid-thirties was deprived of her kidney while being operated for a caesarean. The doctor involved refused to treat her for stomach pain very well knowing that he has removed her kidney without her consent. He wasn't even thinking of the repercussions of the crime that he had very conveniently committed. The unfortunate woman died after 6 agonising days. The incident became clear when the family of the woman went deeper into the investigation, though the doctor was taken to task but a life lost will never return to the baby that she has given birth to.

While refuting such claims Asad Aqeel (Administrator National Hospital Defence) clarifies that very few hospitals of the city boast of their own laboratories as they require state-of-the art machinery to run. However, he admitted that most of the earnings of the hospitals are through laboratories as they make agreements with one another to share the revenue. "It costs a hospital mammoth amount of money to establish a lab." He further elaborates that people even from the lower strata are shifting towards private hospitals as they are providing much better facilities than the government-run hospitals. "They are a failure in my opinion." Asad Aqeel claims that though people believe that hospitals are making huge profits it's to the contrary. Hospitals in Pakistan have a long way to go as there are very few medical facilities available and that too come with high price. 'Criminal' is the word that I would use in terms of offering services, generally most of the hospitals lack in basic requirements as the staff is not trained and the sterilisation level is poor.' He also acknowledges the fact that doctors demand large sum of money as fee but the cost comes with the price, he believes. He has seen very often that people are forced to sell their possessions in order to save their loved ones and to generate the payments of the hospital fee.

These and many other instances reflect the true face of our society and where it is heading. The article does not intend to undermine the immense contribution of most of the doctors and nurses who work tirelessly to save lives; but of those who have turned this into a money-minting field.

Dragging administrative authorities into social or political affairs has resulted in chaos at national level but now this practice also finds its place at a smaller scale.

Publication of pictures of police officials being crowned by traders or social organisations, some of which exist only on papers, in little-known newspapers, on cable TV and banners, has become a routine matter.

It is a form of advertisement being used by some elements to fulfill their hidden motives. Common man is so involved in his struggle for survival on meager earnings in this inflation-ridden society that internalising any external issue would be next to impossible for him.

A recent display of banners attributed to 'general public' in favour of SHO Sanda, who was suspended for abusing his powers, is a novel way to use common man to pursue hidden agendas. The reality on ground is that an ordinary educated man does not even know the name of the SHO of his area and sometimes the exact location of the area police station. Many believe the criminal elements want to have relations with SHOs of their areas and to achieve this end they launch their publicity campaigns.

"Policemen give cold shoulder to ordinary man and welcome their 'favourites' who operate illegal businesses and finance police officers' leisure activities.

"The 'favourites' trickle down some portion of this financing to lower ranks of policemen who are instrumental in brokering deals between high-ups and anti-social elements," says a Union Council nazim requesting anonymity.

Apart from Police department, Excise and Taxation, Labour and Food inspectors spend most of their duty time socialising.

"Inactions with respect to traders and manufacturers are beneficial for both parties; the officials are not accused of taking bribes as businessmen could pay them in kind by lending them their cars or inviting them with their families to luxurious hotels or sponsoring their leisure activities," says Haji Moazzam of Shah Alam crockery market.

He says in return the officials help traders in evading tax or dodging government rules to make extra bucks from their trade. "They identify loopholes existing in the system to help traders or manufacturers in dodging the rules and in this way the officials incur loss to national exchequer to gain some personal benefits," says Moazzam.

While some traders think otherwise and say interaction with government officials helps the trading community to perform their duties better as most of them (traders/manufacturers) have little education and cannot understand procedural matters for regulating trade and manufacturing sector.

Denying the accusation of getting gratifications or favours from favourites, a police official of Lower Mall police station says interaction with notables of the area helps an official get knowledge about the criminals and anti-social elements. Powerful influential individuals are now members of City District Government system.

He says better knowledge of the area also helps the police officials to perform their duties in a more effective way. Gratifying officials is deeply ingrained in our society. It is a legacy of the British Raj as masses want to have an access to rulers through their representatives (government officials), says assistant professor Jawwad Ahmed of Government College University.

"This practice is still prevalent in our society due to illiteracy and lack of awareness about rules whereas societal structure also allows this trend to thrive," he says.

Such kind of socialising -- of getting illegal gratification, comes under the purview of Services and General Administration Department and Home Department.

On the other hand police officials say Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) has suspended four police officials including two Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASIs) on charges of gross misconduct, sheer negligence and misuse of powers despite the fact that they had support of some 'local notables.'

They say the officials who were found guilty during the course of inquiry conducted by Discipline & Inquiry SSP include ASI Muhammad Aashiq, Muhammad Nafees and Constables Muhammad Arshad and Atif Ayub. While some critics say SHOs are not the end of corruption, wrongdoings are more structured at high level.