THE medical student is a demigod to most in this mortal world. Every year we observe outstanding illustrious, able students enrol themselves in the rank of a medical college every year. The starched apron, a number of thick and thin books and a well-earned pride add to the grandeur of the medical student and set him apart from the other members of the professional students category.
Truthfully though, does this messiah really play the virtuous and ethical role in society he is so much expected to? Contradictory to some, I personally feel that the role of doctors and their almamaters has not been very unsatisfactory so far. Though much of the conquered reputations of the medical colleges has been lost due to activities of political insurgents in the students affairs. Still these institutions continue to produce good doctors and to a certain extent good human beings who prove their worth here and abroad as well.
During their stay in medical college all students undergo vigorous training in the field of medical technology, a thorough study of the basic medical sciences, a methodology of the healing arts, an overview of psychology and an understanding of the human mind in sickness and in health. These tuitions apart from preparing them for the noble profession, not only cultivates their personality but also enables them to ascertain ways and means of selfless service towards other members of the society and a vocation for a luminous tomorrow.
Each student, who will be in charge of providing medical care to the community at the end of his schooling, prior to embarking on his mission of health is bound by oath to help fellow human beings and make the world a better place to live in.
Let us all, the new graduates, those in their early years of practice, those seasoned veterans in the domain and the consultants - the true demigods now look into the depths of our hearts and do a little bit of soul searching. How many of us have lived up to the promises that we have made? How many of us have tried to do an essential task .... for someone else? How many of us have stopped to help an injured in an accident. Frankly speaking most of us really do not care. ‘It’s none of my business’ sort of attitude bars us from being the messiah that we ought to be.
The only time our activity is witnessed is in a scene from an almost tragic movie. But do these scenes really hold true when the casualty is not a superhero or not the high and mighty or the right and the famous or the lofty and well connected.
This would raise a number of questions among the would be doctors. The cheeky ones being ‘what can we do?’. A lot can be done provided that we inculcate in our minds a deep desire to do something good, we can merge and integrate with the masses, we can augment the spirit of love among the various groups of society. Using medicine, hope and above all love as a healing agent we can blend our own thoughts and engage others in a constructive activity, not necessarily paramedical and then become a great instrument in making our country a great nation.
To some these words may appear as lofty thoughts and far from the realms of reality. I disagree with them.
To those who would like to be sincere doctors I appeal, let us close in our ranks, drop down the racial, ethnic, capital and political chauvinism and discriminations that exist amongst us. Let us spread the message of love and unity among the people of our society. Let us employ the techniques of medicine and the healing tools to bring about composure in the universal family of mankind.
Let us hold on firmly onto the hope of God. Let us also hold on to each other, hand in hand together in harmony so that our activities are not seen but felt.
THE medical student is a demigod to most in this mortal world. Every year we observe outstanding illustrious, able students enrol themselves in the rank of a medical college every year. The starched apron, a number of thick and thin books and a well-earned pride add to the grandeur of the medical student and set him apart from the other members of the professional students category.
