Trick or Treat - a survival guide to health care
47 Taking revenge The Labourer and the Snake: A farmer's son was bitten by a snake and died. The aggrieved father wanted to kill the snake and stood with an axe outside the snake's hole. When the snake came out he aimed a blow and succeeded in cutting off only
its tail. The snake hastened back into the hole. The farmer tried to cajole the snake
to come out and make peace, actually wanting to have another go at it. The snake said, "I can never be your friend because of my lost tail nor you mine because of your lost son."
Mr Swami, an advocate, was very active in fighting against the health care providers
for consumer redressal. Once, he developed a surgical problem. He consulted many surgeons but no one was willing to take him up. As his was not an emergency problem,
he went around from town to town in search of treatment. Every surgeon told him, "Without a basic doctor-patient trust, treatment is not possible. You won't trust me and I
can't trust you." Comments
I pitied Mr Swami. He had a minor bleeding disease that frightened away all
prospective surgeons! He was operated at a government hospital after I coaxed my surgical colleague and a close friend to help him out. Swami recovered from the surgery and got well without any problem.
Lack of trust hurts in two ways. The care Provider may adopt defensive medical
practice. The care seeker loses the power of faith and trust in healing process (see 'faith 133
