I was recently interviewed by the BMJ, about the circular issued by New Delhi’s Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital on 18 May, which warned doctors at the hospital of “action” if they took care of VIP patients in a “casual way.” This was my comment., “It’s a shame. There’s no reason to pamper VIPs in a democracy, but this is just a symptom of the toadyism and grovelling that Indians are infamous for, so why criticise these doctors?
Most of us do exactly the same thing in our own lives.” He added, “This is one more unreasonable diktat which eats into the doctor’s autonomy and damages his self respect. It’s also unethical and unfair patients should be triaged and treated according to their medical problem, not according to their social status.” How do you handle VIPs in your practice ?
