I AM writing to request all senior medical consultants (physicians and surgeons) to have some mercy on patients, particularly elderly, visiting them. I will not say anything regarding high fees they charge but what is disappointing is that the patients have to wait for a long time, in many cases extending up to three to four hours.

The patient pays the fees to consult a senior doctor whereas he is interviewed and examined by a junior trainee and the senior turns up just for a couple of minutes to listen to what the junior trainee is to report. The senior doctor does not even lay his hand on the patient to see for himself.

In follow up cases the senior consultant does not go through the file to see the progress of the patient and what medicines were earlier prescribed.

There are some doctors who are very particular about convenience of the patients and they have a system of appointment slot of 15 to 20 minutes for each. They do not allow their waiting area to be crowded to show their popularity.

I would appeal to the Pakistan Medical Association and the hospitals to ask the doctors, especially senior consultants, to have some sympathy for their patients. It is their moral duty to ensure that a patient already suffering is not put to more trouble.

A CONCERNED PATIENT Karachi