SRINAGAR, JULY 10: The Amar Singh Club, Srinagar, under its ‘Common Interest Conversations’ initiative, recently hosted a seminar titled “Healing With Honour – Ethics & Empathy in Medical Practices”. The event brought together prominent voices from the legal and medical fields to discuss growing concerns around medical ethics, malpractice, commercialization of healthcare, and the deteriorating doctor-patient relationship.
The session was chaired by renowned neurologist Dr. Sushil Razdan and presided over by senior advocate Zaffar A. Shah. Other key speakers included Dr. Mustaq Margoob, Dr. Abdul Wahid, and Dr. Naveed Nazir. The seminar was introduced by Nasir Hamid Khan, Secretary of the Club, who emphasized that ethical codes in Indian medicine predate even the Hippocratic Oath, citing Ayurvedic classics like the Charaka Samhita.
A dominant concern throughout the seminar was the commercialization of healthcare and the associated rise in unethical practices. Nasir Khan highlighted issues such as unnecessary stent implantations, non-medically indicated C-section surgeries, and the influence of pharmaceutical companies on prescription choices, often involving lavish gifts and foreign trips for doctors. He pointed out the lack of robust enforcement in India compared to the U.S. Physician Payments Sunshine Act, and criticized the voluntary nature of India’s UCPMP guidelines.
Zaffar A. Shah raised important concerns regarding the lack of accountability in the medical profession, questioning why doctors are rarely held responsible for negligence. He emphasized the need for an independent regulatory authority to oversee doctors’ conduct and suggested that the legal system currently offers little recourse for patients harmed by malpractice. Shah also criticized the economic motivations behind many C-sections and test referrals, stating that patients are often financially exploited without proper medical justification. Dr. Abdul Wahid shared disturbing examples of misdiagnosis and lack of empathy, calling for more time to be spent with patients and better continuing education for doctors. He recounted personal stories that highlighted the compassionate practices of legendary Kashmiri doctors Dr. Naseer and Dr. Ali Jan, who prioritized ethics and patient welfare over financial gain.
Dr. Mustaq Margoob, a senior psychiatrist, warned of a growing burnout syndrome among doctors, with rates rising from 16% in the 1990s to 43% in recent years. He emphasized that empathy must be mutual—doctors need to be understood as much as they are expected to understand patients. He also criticized the presence of psychopathic traits in some medical professionals, highlighting the need for both institutional checks and personal introspection. Dr. Naveed Nazir, speaking from his experience in both India and Italy, pointed out that trust in doctors is eroding, with patients often turning to chemists for advice instead. He argued that the absence of a proper healthcare referral system in Kashmir leads to overcrowding in major hospitals and a compromised standard of care. Dr. Nazir also questioned the practical aspects of generic drug prescriptions, suggesting that unclear definitions and inconsistent availability hinder effective implementation.
Participants in the audience echoed many of the speakers’ concerns. Peerzada Ashiq called for regular auditing of prescriptions to ensure accountability without naming or shaming doctors. Mohd Ashraf Mir criticized the inaccessible clinic locations of prominent doctors and the rigid, profit-driven timings as being inhumane to patients. One participant, Nawab Mehran Khan, questioned whether doctors’ burnout was self-imposed, given the common practice of prioritizing private practice over government duties. The event concluded with a collective call for self-reform within the medical community, stronger legal frameworks, and a return to empathetic, value-based care as embodied by legends like Dr. Ali Jan and Dr. Naseer.