MUMBAI, Jan 11: The Association of Medical Consultants (AMC), Mumbai will set up a panel of doctors to offer expert comments on cases of alleged negligence by medical practitioners.This was announced during a seminar on `Media and medical profession' organised by the association on Sunday. According to noted urologist Dr Ajit Phadke, ``When a report of negligence appears in a newspaper, it proves to be disastrous for the doctor since it takes years to build a reputation." While agreeing on the damage to the doctor's reputation, retired Justice S M Daud however stated that at the same time a newspaper report cannot wait till a judgement is passed by a court.Touching upon the `trial by the media', B V Rao, resident editor, The Indian Express, pointed out that unregulated reporting on medical negligence is now being filtered out. However, he said, since most patients who are aggrieved do not have any forum to complain, they approach the media. On patients' rights, Nita Parekh, assistant station director,Doordarshan, Mumbai, stated that while the medical community is aware of its rights, the poor patients have almost no awareness and sometimes pay for the treatment with their life savings. Although the patient pays whatever fees is demanded of him, he does not get proper treatment from the doctor, she added.Television anchor and actress Priya Tendulkar said every profession, including the medical profession, is fighting for survival but the question is how low you can go in this effort. "Just like one written word can make or destroy a person, similarly one wrong medicine can kill or cure a patient," she pointed out.In his answer to complaints about inaccuracies that creep into news reports, former resident editor, The Times of India, Darryl D'Monte said reporters often work under various constraints and if any public representative like a corporator makes a statement then it may not be necessary to verify it. But even a reporter tries to take a comment from the doctor, who is supposed to havebeen negligent, the doctor does not come on the line, he said.Talking about the positive role of the press, Dr Phadke said after the Transplant Act banned commercial transplants, it has become necessary to encourage the public to come forward and donate organs of brain stem dead patients. The media can play an important role in spreading awareness about the subject, he said. Rao welcomed the idea and said the media would take up this cause in a big way. Also, other medical issues do not get the required space in a newspaper and this should also be changed, he added. On any grievances about a news report, consultants should either approach the chief reporter or editor and explain the case with proper documents, he suggested.Following which P N Rao, president of the AMC, announced the setting up of a forum where a reporter can get a quick response on any specific case, adding that a website would also be created offering information on any medical subject.
