Beware! Not all of them are genuine...

‘Private doctors have made it their business to exploit innocent patients’, said one of the relatives during the family discussion. The discussion which began after one of the family members was literally made to believe that he was having a certain disease (which he actually did not have) by one of the private doctors, concluded with a lot of criticism of all the private doctors with no exceptions. I was quite young at that time to have actually understood the crux of the topic of discussion.

Years went by but there was no love lost between the family (opinion) and private doctors. At times I used to think that it is simply over exaggeration by my family members. ‘How could a doctor, who takes an oath to help the patients no matter what, possibly exploit them in terms of money?’ was the question I used to seek an answer for. Almost 12 years later I have finally realised the actual truth. And yes, I no longer have the same question because I have got the answer too. PRIVATE DOCTORS DO EXPLOIT INNOCENT PATIENTS (my humble apology to all of the doctors who do not belong to this category).

A couple of weeks ago I developed a kind of infection on my face. At first I didn’t take it seriously because I thought it to be the routine irritation that happens every time the weather changes. But with the constant increase of the infected area and the irritation, it caught my attention. I discussed it with my mentor, the person who is responsible for every good thing that is happening in my life (my sister). “KHOOB PAANI PEEYA KARO. JAL HI JEEVAN HAI”, was the valuable suggestion given by her. As I do take everything she tells me very seriously, I increased water intake considerably.

Unfortunately it didn’t help much (still love you a lot sis). With ever increasing pain coupled with unimaginable irritation I took the decision to finally visit a doctor. Again my mentor was, as always, there with a valuable advice which I didn’t take (and I utterly regret having done that). She advised me to go to a government doctor instead of a private one. But out of the fear of inconvenience I would have to undergo visiting a government doctor, I instead went to a private doctor (female).

She had a number of degrees written in bold letters on a board placed outside her clinic. I thought I have found the right person. Everything was going normally. She checked my face, asked certain questions, told the do’s and the don’ts and cracked a few jokes. To be honest I was enjoying her company.

Well as soon as she produced the bill the enjoyment was long gone. I was literally in a state of shock (but I could do nothing as it was now a question of status). With my heart dipping I took out the money and handed it over to her. I got upset. Expecting to find a sympathizer in my sister (not realising that at the end of the day she too is a human being who on being not listened to would leave no stone unturned in making you regret)  I approached her and discussed everything with her.

I had not yet gotten over with the earlier shock when a new shock awaited me. The doctor almost charged 3 times the normal price for the medicines she gave me (at first I lost my cool and decided to confront her. But it’s said that everything happens for a reason. So I let go of the thought). As if this was not enough the medicines didn’t give me a bit of relief.

Finally I went to a government doctor. With spending almost one fourth the amount which I earlier spent and tremendous improvement, I have had a real eye opener. So my dear friends save yourselves from the clutches of these devils (pretenders to being the saviours).