There's need to renew code of ethics in medical field:Governor

Andhra pradesh-Telangana Governor ESL Narasimhan today expressed serious concern at the unnecessary diagnosis by doctors to patients and emphasised on the need to "renew the code of ethics" for the medical fraternity. At the national conference on cancer, organised by Cancer Care India (CACI) in association with Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital & Research Institute (BIACH&RI), the Governor expressed concern at the increasing medical budget every year. "We have come at a stage where there is a need to renew the code of ethics for medical professionals. Despite several corporate hospitals and NGOs providing free medicare, bills are still going up," the Governor said. He, therefore, advised that corporate hospitals should come up with 'free screening facilities' for the needy. Reiterating that there was a serious need to renew code of ethics, Narasimhan said he was prepared to call for a meeting of all corporate hospitals of the two states. Citing examples, he said, "Some doctor did blood sugar test 28 times within 6 days on a non-diabetic patient with each test costing around Rs 550...which is uncalled for, while another took an ECG of a patient who was dead." "I am willing to call for a meeting of all corporate hospitals where we can come to a common conclusion on fixing charges for diagnosis. People are not interested in discounts, instead inform them about the cost of interventions. It is unfortunate that there is no transparency in hospitals," he said. On cancer, he said, while fourth stage cancer may not be curable, doctors can build awareness and educate people about prevention aspects. Counseling can go way a long way in helping the patients and their families. CACI is playing a model role, which is really required. But at the same time awareness of cancer should also be brought among the rural population, he added. The Governor also expressed concern on doctors not servicing the rural areas and confining themselves only to big cities. He appealed to the medical fraternity to serve villages as well. He, however, applauded medical practitioners, saying they are into the most noble profession.