BY ANIL SWAMY 

 

 

Since I turned seventy, I had been facing Vision-ary problems in the Ophthalma-logistics of my services at home. Unable to take any more excuses for not driving her around and assist her in kitchen, my better half pushed me to an Ophthalmologist, recommended by a friend of her friend’s cousin. The Doctor medicated my eyes and seated me for forty minutes before medicating again, increased my wait for painful thirty minutes more. After long examination, glued to Laptop he typed a long research note of his findings, passing a verdict of Glaucoma, and cataract in both Eyes. Suggesting left one needs surgery on priority. I had shelled out Rs three hundred, over and above his regular fees, for a quick ‘Darshan’ on priority. Many of our well-wishers, hence forth addressed as ‘free advisors’, opined for a second ‘opinion’. So, we climbed the stairs of a very famous, big eye hospital. A crowd with ‘closed eyes’ were already sitting, dilating their ‘pupils’. I too took a seat amongst them. My number came well after a wait of two hours but my irritation evaporated as I was elated on being examined by three different, well attired, pleasant mannered, young lady doctors with sophisticated instruments and they sat in a meeting room, like true corporates, for a conclusive diagnosis. My wife’s sharp tone sounded like a scream to shatter my happy mood, as she rapped ‘stop day dreaming them’. Report confirmed Cataract in both eyes, no Glaucoma, but required urgent surgery in right eye and take the knife in left eye after twenty days.

 

Difference of ‘opinion’ for preference of surgery in left or right eye, it became logical to seek a third ‘opinion’ as mathematically, best of three makes a better choice but crisp and impressive corporate culture and marketing approach tilted our views in favor of bigger hospital and we decided to go ahead for the essential, pre-operative medical tests. Our kids too, heightened the confusion to next level, advising us to rush to Hyderabad, to a ‘world famous’ eye hospital, for correct diagnosis and treatment, which I ruled out as far too expensive venture. I was deeply concerned, as I won’t be a ‘Visionary’ without a vision. Just to avail the medical benefits, I approached our Co Hq and sought opinion of a young doctor at our dispensary. He studied the papers and recommended for an expert opinion of an eye specialist, declaring the big hospital was fleecing us exorbitantly, far in excess of approved cost by our Co. Unwillingly, as advised we went for the fourth ‘opinion’. The doctor examined and diagnosed Cataract in ‘right eye’ only and no Glaucoma and opined that ‘low cost’ lens approved by our company was very good. Satisfied finally, we happily accepted the surgery at the bare minimum cost. Important post-operative care with dark room gave me plentiful time to ponder over.

 

Were the opinions of earlier doctors wrong? Weren’t they fleecing us unethically, by deliberately operating the right eye first (which this doctor found to be OK) and then the left one? Who was the better doctor? Should our Co, keep such hospitals with smart marketing in the recommended panel? Are the doctors with crowded OPDs snatching our ‘hard earned’ pennies? Endless questions were storming my limited ‘brain cells’. After multiple opinions of retired mates, I could see, a new medical world without any Myopia. Some Hospitals have to cater to those who have ‘Deep Pockets’ with loads of cash, can’t waste time in queues at the clinics as time is money for them. Decoding the health is not a derivative of ‘Mathematics’ and doctors’ opinion, being subjective can vary. Their line of treatment, have a fair probability of adopting a different course. We always want the best doctor, best hospital and good behavior and each element adds a value. When hospitals work as ‘profit centers’, a corporate culture of business house evolves, with new mandatory departments of marketing and liaison, requiring additional manpower of doctors and staff to work in shifts, burden of salary structure, promotions and PF etc and yes, the ‘best doctors’ are always crowd pullers and costly. But in my ‘opinion’, all we desire and deserve good medical facilities with a lowest possible financial pinch and respectful behavior by medics. Am I not asking for too much??