It is time to wash the linen

The unethical practice of commissions in private healthcare requires an open debate since it leads to expensive and hazardous healthcare. Doctors are accused of being sales agents and law breakers, private hospitals resemble luxury hotels, the consumer has become fair game whenever he/she has money, and our profession and society are rendered insensitive to human suffering. At the root of this malaise is the unplanned promotion of healthcare as a free market product. This very complex product, which is required in times of stress and vulnerability, has been institutionalized as a business for profiteering in the absence of adequate checks and balances. The product is inherently unsuited for the free market because the consumer cannot be king unless he is empowered to choose wisely. Not enough has been done to address this deficiency. Efforts are required to strengthen non-profit health facilities; to make the consumer wise and minimize her/his exposure to doctored health information. The present unethical practices of our profession are not the fault of doctors or the Medical Council of India, and punitive measures would be inappropriate. We should start with the creation of a government health website which educates the public about modern healthcare, and by regulating advertisement of health products. Since health personnel, officials and news media are directly benefited by the present malpractices, corrective will require consumer participation.