When
it was a serious health problem the patients were taken in canoes to the
District Hospital at Ernakulam where one would get English medicines, drugs. ‘Appachan’ told me that he used to take
his mother to Kunjalus Hospital for treatment as their service was good. I know
Dr. Rafiq Mohammed personally. He is a dedicated doctor and also one of the
partners of that hospital. Lissie hospital and Lourde hospital are two other hospitals
in the city, which are affordable to the poorer sections of the society.
Padmashri Dr. Jose Chacko Periappuram is a popular Cardio-thoracic Surgeon and
head of department in the Lissie hospital. He is the son of Prof. Chacko
Periappuram, former principal of St. Thomas College, Palai. The Medical Trust Hospital, a super specialist
hospital, at Pallimukku founded by Dr. Varghese Pulikkan rivals most of the
others. They have good doctors, the latest medical equipments and operation
theatres. They also strive to maintain a high standard in nursing, care and all other services. Their
prime location in town is another major attraction. The Managing Director,
Shri. P.V. Antony, Pulikkan is also personally known to me. He is very involved
in all the activities of this hospital. It is his personal interest in its
management that has attributed to the popularity of the Medical Trust Hospital.
Dr. Hari (Consultant Physician) and Dr. Jayaprakash (Endocrinologist) are the
two devoted doctors personally known to me. I used to consult Dr. Jayaprakash
at regular intervals for my hormonal imbalance in my system. Dr. Tony Mampilly, a veteran Pediatrician of PVS Hospital at Kaloor is very considerate to deprived patients. I consult Dr. Paul
Mathew, a veteran Opthalmologist, Hospital Road at Ernakulam.
I
am really perturbed by the recent escalation in the prices of Allopathic
medicines. This is specially observed in the life-saving drugs that are
imported; the medical lobby is looting the public. The medical drug authorities
concerned should keep a strict vigil on them and should be penalized heavily. We
are proud to know that our scientists are successful in sending economical missions
like “Chandrayan” and “Mangalyan.” It is much more
significant to achieve self-sufficiency in matters of nutritious food, clothes,
shelter and medical drugs for our people. We have brilliant and dedicated
scientists and doctors; the government should provide funds liberally and
encourage them to invent and manufacture the required medicines at affordable
prices to the common man. It is not advisable to import medicines from abroad
and get exploited in the bargain. I am of the opinion that it is the duty of
the government to maintain not only the quality and quantity of a product but
also to control the price of medicines and all other goods sold in market. In
any event, the MRP (Maximum Retail Price) shall not exceed double the cost
price of a product and would ensure that businessmen shall not loot the public.
The
hospital expenses are also becoming prohibitive. The government also owes a
duty to control and maintain fair fees and charges imposed or collected for all
services rendered to the public. The government ought to have provided medi-claim
insurance policy cover to all its citizens especially the poorer sections of
the society. Otherwise, the patient’s family would fall into a debt trap. The
insurance companies shall not be allowed to deny the medi-claims on any grounds
whatsoever.
An
individual’s right to obtain a decent living includes a right to get proper
medical attention and health care too at affordable price.
Excerpts from
MEMOIRS
An autobiography
by
Joseph J. Thayamkeril
Lawyer, Kochi, Kerala, India.
josephjthayamkeril.blogspot.com
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