Violence against Doctors:A Multisystem Failure

The malady of violence against doctors has regrettably become more frequent. The recent incident of two doctors getting brutalized in Kolkata led to a widespread strike paralysing healthcare. There appears a distinct apathy against doctors across the society, including government and judiciary. The deteriorating doctor–patient relationship has become complex with multiple facets: patients, junior doctors, consultants, hospital administration, patient’s relatives and the Government. Rising healthcare cost, significant difference in the standard of care between public and private hospitals, lack of an effective central regulatory authority and poor communication skills are contributing towards growing dissatisfaction. The doctors, being the face of the healthcare system, bear the brunt of the patient’s ire. A concerted effort by all stakeholders, including the Government, doctors and industry towards modernizing public hospitals, providing universal health coverage and regulating pharmaceutical industry pricing are necessary to rectify the deficiencies in healthcare, which is an essential component of economic development. This assumes more importance as the country has to meet the United Nations’ and World Bank’s target of eliminating poverty by 2030, and also the vision of the present Government of making India a developed economy.