Jan 13, 2009 06:13 PM
12755 Views
I do not need to highlight any specific incident, because fortunately/unfortunately have been there directly/indirectly a number of times.
When I came to bangalore 5 years back, the only name I knew was Manipal, the brand which could have been trusted, at least this hospital was very popular in Kolkata. After 5 yrs being in bangalore and seeing in and around the hospital on a number of occassions, the only word I can utter is "SHIT".
Attitude of some staffs. I have personally seen some extremely polite and couterous staffs, but some are really horrible, REAL HORRIBLE. They behave like they are in some business corporates, and we are the clients and have come for some professional service. They forget that it's medical profession. Some simple don't know how to talk. Although the complaint option is there, I think it's a junk mechanism only, no one pays attention. It's heart breaking at some points, their attitude. I know all people are not the same, but however this should not be an excuse, for a professional renowned medical institute. E.g is, when I took my wife for miscarriage, one lady in the scan room was pathetic, however, the other one was so sweet.
Billing. UUFFF! it's highly inaccurate/falsified. For a 2 lakh treatment, you can bet 50% of that to be inflated/inaccurate.
Doctors are the most important part. Mostly you will find brokers taking patients to the hospital and taking a hefty commission(in cash, I know some of them personally). Apart from that, some(or most) doctors looks after the profession as money extractor. Some will even force you to stay in the hospital and take the unnecessary treatment, causing heavy loss in the pocket. In case of operation, you better cast your prayer, they will just swipe out your entire balance. I can challenge for any treatment, please carry it out in St Johns/NIMHANS and Manipal and see the difference yourself. My wife's one day D&C billing was 13000 and in St Johns it was 6000, after being admitted for 3 days, with highly qualified care & treatment. I don't mind spending money, but you can expect rs500 worth treatment by spending rs5000. In manipal it's not even rs50 worth. I have been to Wockhardt, they take money, but service is beautiful.
Outpatient treatment is very poor. Mostly, for renowned doctors, you need to be extremely lucky to even speak with them. All cases are handled by their juniors and file gets passed to the main doctore, in case of clarification. You can't even see the doctor you are consulting, in case of emergency.
Sometimes I do see some Manipal doctors' acievements in successful completion of extremely rare surgeries. No doubt, that their infrastructure is world class, but exception does not prove the rule. For a major portion of the patients, due to their money suckking automated mechanism, these achievements are of little significance. I know by heart, how their interior is. My frends wife has been a doctor there. I haver a couple of doctor friends as well.
manipal authorities do carry out social responsibilities, but in the pretext of the general mess, which is there, those activities makes no difference or effect. Already, in the last few years, people coming in to bangalore have started avoiding Manipal. May be the damage has already been done to the brand name. If someone wants a proof, just ask any average bangalorean as to where he would prefer to take treatment? I won't mind if they stop social activities and pay attention to the genaral patients in the hospital. That would improve the image definitely. They have to live by the general impression, not through specific exceptions.
I feel sorry at my heart that such a reputed and capable institute has slowly descended into the dark path of money making at the cost of so many tears. You feel like hating the "doctor" profession, once you step in there.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is not to do anything by the good".
Thanks,
Surajit
