Chandigarh, July 1, 2018: On the occasion of Doctor’s Day, Indian Medical Association (IMA), Chandigarh and Mr. Bejon Misra, an international expert in consumer advocacy and founder board member of ‘Patient Safety and Access Initiative of Indian Foundation’ announced to start a patient counselling centre. Here patients can come for any issues related to healthcare services in Chandigarh, including grievances against doctors and hospitals.

This will be for the first time in the country that a patient support group in association with leading doctors’ organisation will start this type of service. A blood donation camp was also organised on the occasion, in which over 80 volunteers came forward to donate blood.

During discussion on ‘How to improve doctors-patient relationship?’ organised by IMA here at IMA Complex in Sector 35. Dr. Neeraj Kumar, President, IMA, Chandigarh said that the basic reason of increasing mistrust in this very sacred relationship is more laws and regulations being imposed on medical sector which has been forcing the doctors to practise ‘defensive medicine’ in which they do not want to take any risk for patients as well as protect themselves from litigation, police action and violence.

This symposium was an attempt by doctors to reach out to leaders and representatives of public for better communication and understanding each-others point of view.

Justice Mahesh Grover, Punjab and Haryana High Court, Chief Guest on the occasion stressed the importance of empathy and compassion. A few words of care and sympathy by the doctor to his patient can really restore the faith and confidence.

Mr. Roopinder Singh, Associate Editor of The Tribune, said that this deterioration in doctor-patient relationship is a manifestation of a system wide malaise of decreasing respect for institutions, decrease in value system and increasing violence and materialism.

Dr. G. Dewan, Director, Health Services, Chandigarh, while speaking on the occasion said, doctors in Chandigarh are doing a great job, healthcare services in city are probably one of the best in the country. He reiterated that in last six months his office has not received even a single complaint of negligence against any hospital.

The panel consisted of eminent personalities including, Vipin Pubby, former Resident Editor, The Indian Express, Chandigarh; Mrs Alka Sarin, Senior Lawyer; Dr. Ashok Attri, HoD, Surgery and Emergency, GMCH Sector 32; Dr. S.K. Jindal, former Professor and HoD of Pulmonology, PGI; Dr Gurbir Singh, Regional Medical Director, North and East, Fortis Healthcare, and Dr. Yash Bala, senior Gynaecologist. The panel handled wide ranging questions from the audience which mainly consisted of public representatives from resident welfare bodies and other associations.