LETTERS: It was shocking to hear recently of a patient at a private hospital slapped with a bill that defies imagination.
The patient was allegedly "charged RM11.60 for sitting in the emergency room" and was further "charged RM34 for moving a patient monitor".
This episode suggests that patient care has been overtaken by crass capitalism, where medical expertise is exclusively for monetary gain.
Whatever happened to the Hippocratic Oath, which every doctor solemnly takes upon graduation?
The oath states, among other things, that "I shall try to establish a friendly relationship with my patients and shall accept each one in a non-judgmental manner, appreciating the validity and worth of different value systems and, according to each person, a full measure of human dignity.
"I shall charge only for my professional services and shall not profit financially in any other way as a result of the advice and care I give my patients. I shall provide advice and encouragement for my patients in their efforts to sustain their own health."
It is sincerely hoped that the authorities will act and see to it that our healthcare system acts with compassion and in the best interest of patients, in line with the cherished traditions of medical practice.
DR A. SOORIAN
Seremban, Negri Sembilan
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times
