There system, our system

I am back with my readers after a gap of about two months and half. I travelled in Europe for eight weeks and also spent four days with my daughter in Dubai. I was unwell and my sugar level had increased. Medicines prescribed by European doctors became ineffective. I had to seek permission of the Sessions Court in Srinagar for going abroad for treatment because I cannot go out of India without court permission. I was allowed eight weeks of absence abroad.
Readers might ask why I make my sickness a subject for this article. Actually I want to narrate for our readers the difference between European and Indian systems of treatment. 

Cleanliness is the first problem with our hospitals. They stink like hell. Toilets are obnoxious stinking holes; water pipes are invariably broken and leaking, and if not broken, they are dry. Bedding, mattresses, sheets and pillows all are a plethora of dirt and filth. Patients needing even minor medication like headache pills, glucose and injections, have to buy these from market. When complaints are lodged with the doctors the reply is that the government does not supply them.

We find private medical clinics flourishing in Kashmir. They abound in streets wherever you go. Pharmacies like semi-hospital dispensaries are to be seen all around. These vendors loot the helpless patients. Most of these medicine shops sell spurious medicines. It is said that our State is the biggest market of spurious drugs.

Keeping this in mind, when I compare how I am being treated in Europe I can say that it is only a dream. In European countries there is the insurance system for medical treatment. People have to deposit a monthly amount in accordance with their income. Minimum insurance is 110 Euros, which is approximately eight thousand rupees. If one’s income is less, one receives 70 per cent of insurance fee from the government. With this insurance, a man has not to worry about his treatment. A medical centre is created in the locality where such a man lives; the centre caters to a population of 20 to 25 thousand souls.  8 to 10 family doctors are deputed in each centre. There are separate doctors for ENT and Physio-therapy and also for blood, urine and other tests. On falling sick, a person goes to family doctor. If a person has bad cold the doctor will suggest a tablet and advise him to take rest. Doctors avoid giving antibiotics to children as long as possible. If the family doctor feels necessary, he can refer his patient to the specialists.

Sine my sugar level was high, my family doctor prescribed medicines but also referred me to the specialist by fixing my appointment with him on the internet by sending him an email. He also contacted the Cardiologist and sought my appointment with him. He has been treating me for last one decade or more. Three days later, I got the appointment letter by post from both the doctors. Thus I went to Amsterdam Medical Centre on two different dates for treatment. This is among the largest hospitals of Europe. Diabetes specialist, a lady doctor along with her assistant, conducted my investigation and filled forms. She subjected me to close inspection of all my body including nails, and then sent me for urgent USG.

I had to come next day morning without eating for the second test. After the tests were conducted, I was again called for appointment with diabetes doctor. The Diabetes nurse gave me full instructions about the disease. For the first time I came to know that despite diabetes I could eat three hundred grams of meat in a week and live a normal life. About eating I was advised to eat according to my taste but only less in quantity. I was told that it would be better to avoid eating rice. She said even if I eat ten times a day but in small quantities, it would not do harm.

Many patients are scared of insulin. I also avoided insulin for a long time. But she told me that dehydration means loss of water and glucose in the body. When there is loss of blood, glucose and blood are injected into the body. In the same way since in sugar blood does not create insulin cells therefore insulin is to be injected. Diabetes immediately affects eyesight and then liver and kidneys are also affected. During my four appointments with her, she thoroughly explained to me the function of insulin. She almost made me a doctor with knowledge of insulin. She directed me to use two types of insulin four times a day and advised me to check sugar level four times a day and maintain the record.