21 The situation gives power

The Lion and the Mouse: A little mouse ran over a lion's face by accident. The lion lost its temper and was about to kill it. Then the mouse begged him to spare his life and said, "If you let me go today, I will repay you foryour kindness another day.” The idea of such an insignificant creature offering help was so amusing to the lion that he laughed aloud and let it go away. One day, the lion was trapped in a net laid by big game hunters. The lion was unable to break free and roared in anger and frustration. The mouse heard the roar, came there and gnawed away the ropes of the net in a jiffy. The lion realised that even a little mouse could be of great help to others.

When Murkhi, a slum dweller, got successfully operated at a municipal hospital by a famous surgeon, he was extremely grateful. "Sir, one day I will repay you for your kindness," he said to the surgeon. This offer amused the surgeon. He laughed affably and discharged Murkhi. Two months later, there were big riots in the city. A mob stopped the surgeon's car and was about to attack it. Murkhi was in the vicinity and recognised the car and its occupant. He ran to the mob, pacified them and saved the day for the great surgeon.

Comments

Health professionals play God and make life and death decisions as a matter of routine. Over time, their ego may inflate so much that they stop looking at their patients as equal human beings. It is at times like riots and calamities that they stand exposed and feel vulnerable.

The Murkhi-episode happened in Mumbai during the post-Ayodhya riots. The

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surgeon confided to me, "It was a near death experience for me. I thought I would be lynched by the mob. When Murkhi got me through the mob safely, I felt he was God in human form. He seemed omnipotent. Then the realisation struck me: how vulnerable would my patients feel before their surgery and how my routine professional work makes me seem omnipotent in their eyes! I have changed now. I feel humble. I feel privileged to be able to help fellow human beings."

Clifton gently reminded the doctors, "You are a patient's advocate - you work for no one else.” Can the health professionals stop acting like omnipotent Gods and transform themselves to be the privileged advocates of their fellow human beings? Or do we all have to undergo near-death experiences like my friend from Mumbai?

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