== PROFIT MOTIVE VS SERVICE MOTIVE IN MEDICINE ==
Namaskar,
In this peak season of capitalism, the profit motive is reigning supreme
in all realms of life-- including in the field of medicine where greed
and stock-piling money has become the norm. That is why many say that
the once noble field of 'treating the sick' has turned into nothing but
a profit-seeking 'medical industry'-- where the chase for the dollar is
utmost.
Needless to say, this has spelled d-i-s-a-s-t-e-r for patients
throughout the globe. Because doctors no long focus on the needs of the
patient but rather on how their own medical business can be more
profitable-- the outcome of which is most ugly.
Of course in our Proutistic model-- which most definitely is going to
take shape soon on this earth-- is geared towards serving others. The
motive will be 'do where and when it is needed for the welfare of the
patient'; not 'do, whether it is needed or not, in order to make a
profit'. Hence our Prout is based on service psychology. And we will
discuss the ramifications of this in the field of medicine.
First let us see how this profit motive manifests itself in today's
medical industry.
DOCTORING FOR DOLLARS
From the US to Bali to Buenos Aires to Kolkata, the field of medicine
has turned into a profit-making machine. And there are all kinds of
tricks done in order to secure a greater margin of income.
For example in India, where the number of doctors far surpasses the
number of paying patients, doctors have a shortage clients, i.e. the
market is not big. In that case, doctors regularly perform operations
and administer medicines that are not at all needed. Arm surgery or an
open-heart operation will be performed solely for the doctor's wallet
and not because that is in the patient's best interest. That is but one
of the horrors going on in India.
Another ploy that is occurring is that quack doctors-- those who are
below average and cannot get patients-- will give a commission to
rickshaw wallahs and tour guides etc if they bring patients to their
office. Thus when a person new in town gets sick or injured-- whether
they be a villager or an overseas tourist-- then they will be led to
this quack doctor. All because this doctor is resorting to seedy means
in order to 'drum up business'.
In the US, the scandals are occurring on a much larger level. Often
times doctors themselves are just turned into laborers in the hands of
hospital officials & business executives. That is one epidemic. The
other is that doctors will order a myriad of expensive tests just to
create a large bill-- which will either go to the patient, insurance
company, or both. And behind close doors, pharmaceutical giants are
giving pressure and incentives to doctors who prescribe their drugs.
These are but a few of the many ills occurring in the scandalous medical
industry in the US.
Side by side, medical researchers will not investigate cures to diseases
that are less commonly known for the sheer reason that there are less
patients-- i.e. less customers-- suffering from that type of disease.
Whereas, every pharmacy under the sun is inventing more and more high
blood pressure medicines-- that are essentially unneeded-- because there
is huge money to be made in arena. So that which is needed is not done
and that is not needed is done. All because of the might dollar and
profit-motive way of doctoring.
Thus we see a variety of schemes by today's medical industry in order to
maximise profits-- and in all cases the one who suffers & pays the most
is the patient.
BABA'S EXAMPLE OF DOCTOR PRACTICES
Here below Baba Himself points out what injustices doctors do to their
patients in order to bankroll their medical business.
Baba says, "Of all the doctors you have come across, how many are
idealistic and dutiful? If you visit a doctor, he will prescribe strong
medicines for a light illness. This will inevitably be the case if he
owns his own dispensary." (HS-1)
By Baba's own example, it is clear that the today's medical industry is
in a dire state, if not a pathetic condition.
PROUT IS COMING
But this negative state of affairs surrounding the medical industry will
not last forever-- things will get better as the greediness of
capitalism fades away and the ideals of Prout are introduced.
Some Ananda Margiis may be thinking that this is a pipe dream only.
Because when Prout net itself is on the fritz, and when our top Prout
Dadas are enmeshed in economic shams, and when our Prout journals are a
thing of the past, and when in so many ways our Prout movement is
seemingly losing momentum, then some may be thinking that Prout will
never make it onto the scene.
But actually great headway is being made.
Because, a shift is occurring with margiis and acaryas around the globe.
In response to the groupism, now more than ever there is a call to bring
Baba's ideas to the forefront. And more and more are studying Baba's
writings and sharing His teachings with others. Plus the society is also
suffering under the grip of capitalism and is ready for a new direction.
Due to all these reasons and more, the wave of Prout has started and it
will not be long before its implementation occurs at a rate faster than
we can maintain. So our Prout is most certainly on the way-- about this
there should not be any doubt.
WHAT SHAPE IT WILL TAKE
Then question then what are the types of changes we will see in the
medical industry. Here Baba gives a glimpse of what lies ahead and what
we can expect to see with regards to the practice of medicine and health
care.
Baba says, "Doctors should start service cooperatives. These
cooperatives may also be called physicians service cooperatives. Suppose
a doctor is not able to open his own practice, he may form a service
cooperative with five or ten other doctors. Such a cooperative is an
intellectual service cooperative. Doctors who have less capital and
cannot afford to establish their own practice can also work in this type
of cooperative. Such a system will solve the unemployment problem of
doctors. In addition, doctors can start research through these
cooperatives." (PNS-18)
Thus when doctors form cooperatives and are not at the mercy of the
almighty dollar, then the field of medicine will embark into a new era.
And not only doctors cooperatives, but there will be so many deep-seeded
changes that will spell the end to the present-day profit-oriented
medical businesses and give rise to community oriented health-care
services where the welfare of the patient is first and foremost.
And verily that is the main difference between Prout and capitalism--
the seed outlook of life. Irregardless of all the plans and programs,
the basic vision of Prout and Capitalism differs in their most
fundamental appeal. Prout mandates that the need of the day should be
addressed in order to serve the people, whereas capitalism dictates that
business should be done where there is the opportunity to make a profit.
And these are wholly oppositional outlooks.
That is why as the Proutistic model presents in the social life, there
will be widespread changes quite quickly. And these will become apparent
in the field of medicine and health care as well.
BABA'S GRACE
By Baba's grace our Prout system is going to come along. The public
needs it; our Marga is destined to do it; and it is Baba's will. So none
should despair or adopt a capitalistic mentality. The vision of Prout is
on the way. And with it today's profit oriented medical industry will be
revamped into a service-oriented approach that addresses the true needs
of the people.
Baba says, "PROUT is well-adjusted with human ideals and sentiments.
Other socio-economic systems are ultravires to human existence and
all-round elevation." (AFPS-9)
Namaskar,
Pradiip
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Dogmatic Way of Presenting Shabda Cayanika
AM Publications wrote: "Ostensibly, Shabda Cayanika is a series devoted
to the linguistics and philology of the Bengali language."
Note: Just like in the past, religious priests-- with their selfish
motives-- altered numerous spiritual teachings & texts in order to
misguide their followers and gain more power. Lord Shiva's and Krsna's
teachings were also distorted by dogmatic Hindu religious priests who
had the same narrow-minded motive.
In similar fashion, after 1990 our AM scriptures also got altered. And
the above quoted line about Shabda Cayanika is clear-cut is proof of that.
Because in true sense, the Shabda Cayanika series is primarily devoted
to the explanation of Sanskrit grammar and includes discussion and
stories on diverse subjects in order to make the Sanskrit grammar lucid.
The discourses themselves have been given in Bengali but certainly the
subject matter is Sanskrit. And since Sanskrit does not have its own
script that is why it was first written in Bengali script. At the same
time, though, it is well known that Sanskrit itself has been written in
many of the Indian languages; but recently, in the last 100 years, it
has been standardized and now Devana'garii has been accepted as the
official script of Sanskrit.
The point here however is that the Shabda Cayanika series focuses on the
Sanskrit language. Yet certain dogmatic priests have altered things in
such a way that they are misleading margii readers by claiming that the
Shabda Cayanika series is about Bengali grammar.
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