Healthcare Crisis: Jab Munsif Hi Qatil Ho 

By Bilal Ahmad Khanday

So far as the health sector is concerned, it is there to act as a bedrock that supports a society with its infrastructure, equipment, efficient and skilled doctors, paramedical staff, capable and dynamic administration, quality checkups, medications, and more. Healthcare is one of the primary, pioneering, and fundamental systems in a society, which not only cures our physical ailments but also heals our mind and soul. However, as the saying goes, “Jab munsif hi qatil ho,” we lose hope for a better future, as we are like a boat that is being sunk by the rower himself.

The “Munsif hi qatil ho” expression holds true for almost every sector, considering the realities at the grassroots level. As far as the health sector is concerned, it should serve as the bedrock of a society, with its infrastructure, equipment, skilled doctors and paramedical staff, vibrant administration, quality checkups, medications, and more. Why do I call it ‘unhealthy healthcare’? There are many points that prove my argument, but the recent incident I witnessed—one that even happened to me at one of the primary and major hospitals in Kashmir—serves as an eye-opener for policymakers to reconsider their policies and management practices. These ultimately determine the health and hygiene of the public, both in the short and long run.

A few days ago, I took my better half for a cardiac check-up, as advised by a physician. Upon reaching the hospital, I was astonished by the long, serpentine queues that we had to follow to get a ticket, which then needed to be counter-signed by the concerned official for the date. This process seemed messy and cumbersome for almost all patients and attendants, who had to follow what seemed more like ‘dictates’ in the hospital rather than clear rules and regulations. After standing in line for about an hour, I finally reached the counter and got the ticket with the date.

After my better half’s check-up, the cardiologist advised an ECG for further investigation to probe the expected problem. The next step was to deposit the fee for the ECG, but to my utter surprise and disgust, the concerned window (counter) was closed, even though the clock read 2:30 pm. Somehow, I realized I could deposit the fee at the casualty counter, which fortunately was still working. When I reached the ECG counter, I found some patients still waiting outside for their turn. To kill time, I asked an elderly lady, holding a small baby in her lap, who she was with. She replied that her daughter was inside, having cardiac issues for a long time.

When we entered for our turn, I saw a woman, probably in her late forties, arguing with the staff to provide her with some cotton to clean the gel off her body after the ECG. She was given a bed sheet, wet and dirty, that had been left on a chair. She refused to use it and argued that it was unreasonable to expect a patient to clean gel off her body with such an unhygienic item. Finding no alternative, she left, rebuking the officials and the administration for their careless approach, which could further jeopardize patients’ health and hygiene.

Finally, I got my better half’s ECG done, but to my surprise and dismay, I found that I was even more harsh than the lady who had earlier taught these so-called literates a lesson. I too raised the issue with them. Their illogical response was that they were charging a meager amount for the ECG, which I countered with a valid argument. I asked them how it could be justified when a hospital, which claims to prioritize health and hygiene and promotes these ideals in its brochures and signboards, would compromise the very lives of people who regard doctors and officials as near divine. They explained that the administration had not provided them with the necessary items to carry out their duties efficiently.

I replied, “Isn’t it your legal and moral duty to officially bring this matter to the notice of your seniors and administrators, who are being well-compensated for their ‘services’?” They finally expressed regret and seemed eager to get me out of the room, but before leaving, I requested them to please bring this issue to the attention of their seniors for the sake of the health and hygiene of the patients.

Since then, the scenes have haunted me, and I finally decided to write about the issue to highlight not only this case but also similar issues that patients endure daily, not only in this hospital but in almost all government hospitals. These hospitals, on one hand, claim to provide high-quality healthcare and hygiene, while on the other hand, they play with the innocent lives of the people.

This is why I wrote, “Jab munsif hi qatil ho”…

• The author can be reached for feedback at [email protected]

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