Here´s a prescription from Dr Chakra Raj Pandey, orthopedic surgeon at Medicare Hospital in Kathmandu. He refunds the fee if the patient dies during treatment. "In principal you´ve to pay the fee for the medical service received", he says. "However, I don´t want to receive the fee from bereaved family members." [break]
Not only this, he treats for free if his patients have to have a second operation for the same problem. "It definitely hurts our poor brothers to pay even if their nearest one has passed away during treatment," he says.
He has taken this campaign as his own fight against greed.
He also says that the issue of security of health workers and institutions has emerged because of the medical profession´s own weakness. "We´re also responsible for insecurity in the hospital and we should not shy away from taking the blame", he says, "We should inform them (service seekers) properly."
One of the accusations from patients and their families is less responsive behavior of doctors. "I reach the hospital immediately even if it´s midnight," he says, "Once I saved the life of a patient whose lung was out of the body. To save his life was a great achievement for me."Family members of patients always notice when the doctor reaches the patient. More than that, Dr Pandey never asks them to deposit the money before the start of treatment. "We should treat for humanity", Pandey further elaborates, "Even five out of 10 patients paying my fees would be sufficient for my survival."
"Not everyone has money", he adds, "However, most of my patients´ family members pledge to pay even if their nearest one dies during treatment."
He works at only one hospital. However, many doctors work both in government and private hospitals. In case of difficulty in one place they transfer the patient to another hospital. "I don´t have any place else to take my patients," he says. "So I must try hard to make my patients happy."