Opinion Medical malpractice

A few days ago there was an article published in a leading scientific journal about a new strain of bacteria,which it called a “superbug”,resistant to most high-end antibiotics. This bacteria attributes its resistance to a gene called New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase,or NDM-1. However,labelling this strain a superbug is inaccurate,when there are many other strains of bacteria resistant to most new-generation antibiotics that are causing as much,if not more harm. Multi-drug-resistant bacteria are bound to develop wherever there is indiscriminate use of antibiotics,even in the developed world. Further labelling it the New Delhi gene and using this to caution medical tourists from seeking treatment in India is irresponsible and misguided.

In recent years,India has become a preferred destination for medical tourism because patients in the West know that they can get a standard of healthcare equal to any hospital in their own countries,at a fraction of the cost. Pharmaceutical companies and for-profit hospitals in the West see this as a threat,but make no attempt to reduce the cost of healthcare or improve its accessibility. New scientific discoveries must be hailed,but to use science as way to discredit a particular country is deplorable.

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I have been in the medical profession for over 35 years and am familiar with the way medicine is practiced in different parts of the world. I now see a change in the way some companies perceive medical research. They use it as a means to promote one line of treatment over conventional lines,for maximising profits. This discredits the entire medical profession and makes the patient mistrust allopathic treatment. In order to protect the interests of its people,the government passes stronger regulations that stifle further development and research. If we could use medical research in a responsible and unbiased fashion and embrace its purpose of alleviating suffering and not maximising profits,our patients will reinstate their faith in doctors.

The writer is a cardiac surgeon and founder of the Narayana Hrudayalaya multi-specialty hospital